where I work

Comparing Speeds of Internet

April 25, 2013

A couple months ago, in an extreme fit of frustration, I posted this whine about my slow internet. I even did a video, complete with irritating hum throughout, just so you could see how slow it really was.

Well, I’m happy to say we’ve made some changes and things have improved. Let’s do a little before and after comparison.

BEFORE: Local Wireless Broadband Provider

In the 15-18 years we’d been on the internet, we subscribed to a local, privately-owned internet service provider (ISP) company. We’ve always been advocates of non-corporate businesses and it was intriguing to be part of this company throughout its ground-up development.

We live in a rural area so for many of these years we were on dial-up. Remember that resonating screech of connection? If you want to relive the old days, here it is!

About eight years ago we broke down and purchased a wireless broadband antenna. To be specific, it was a Motorola Canopy Subscriber Module available through our ISP. We mounted this paddle-like antenna high on our 40-ft TV tower and from there it received transmission from an ISP tower located about five miles away. Purportedly, we were to get access speeds ranging from 2-6 Mbps (megabits per second). Megabits? Ha! I doubt we ever broke out of the gigabit barrior.

And then there were the lightening strikes, the interference from other 900 MHz users and the inopportune disconnects (are there ever opportune disconnects?). Combine these with a growing list of other frustrations and I had reached my limit. As much as I wanted to support a local company, the unreliable internet it provided was not acceptable. In fact, it was hurting my business. So for two days I went into full-time research mode, I learned more about the state of U.S. telecommunications than is comforting, and I calculated some comparisons.

Local Wireless Broadband Provider
Antenna Cost: $300, plus $199 installation (2005 rates)
Avg. Access Fee: $51.85/month, including website hosting ($622/year)

AFTER: WildBlue Satellite Dish

In 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As part of this provision, specific communications companies received subsidies, which they in turn offered to new satellite broadband users by way of free setup and discounted rates. WildBlue Internet (Exede) is one of these companies. Yes, it’s a big, nationwide company, and no, it’s not one I’d normally patronize. Sometimes though, my high-and-mighty ideals just don’t work out.

So now we have this not-so-attractive dish sitting on our roof just outside our attic window. It connects to a satellite located somewhere in the southern sky and, for the most part, it’s bringing fairly reliable internet (no, there isn’t TV with this satellite). Recently, data showed my my speed clocking in at 10 Mbps—that’s not cable internet fast, but compared to what I had before, it feels like the speed of light! More importantly, it doesn’t cut out like my previous internet and, so far, working with the company’s service reps has been a pleasant experience.

WildBlue Satellite
Dish cost: $0
Installation: $5
Avg. Access Fee: $42.15/month ($505/year)
Website hosting with Hands-On Web Hosting: $4/month ($48/year)

So there you have it. I can probably quit whining for a while. But just so you know, the whole broadband issue isn’t going away soon. Here in my Badger state “a lack of reliable and affordable broadband service in many areas in Wisconsin is hampering the ability of individuals and businesses to capitalize on new technologies,” according to this recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article. Justifiably and thankfully so, there are many organizations pushing for change.

What about you? What internet are you using and how’s it working for you? What are your thoughts on better access in the U.S.?

Market Now for Business Ahead

April 8, 2013

Here in Wisconsin winter is finally loosening its hold on us. See there in the right corner of my picture, there’s even a tinge of green poking through the ground.

That’s my husband cutting wood. We burn wood for nearly all our heat so he spends many weekends sawing away. I know, with spring around the corner you wouldn’t think he’d need to do this, but the guy just never sits still. He’s also the epitome of planning ahead. Our wood storage is always filled and what he’s cutting now won’t be used until next year, or maybe even the year after.

I posted this picture because Earth Day is coming up in two weeks. It also reminds me that I need to keep up with my marketing.

I’ve noticed an interesting pattern in the eight years I’ve been in business for myself. It seems to take a good 6-12 months to see results on my marketing efforts. This means the projects I’m working on right now are a result of the marketing I did last summer. And whether or not I have projects in my pipeline next winter depends on how much marketing I do now. Obviously, I need to keep my saws sharpened and running!

What do you think? Have any of you noticed this in your business?

Wednesday Webs: First Day of Spring

March 20, 2013

Happy first day of spring!

This past weekend our crab apple trees were invaded by masses of cedar waxwing birds and one lone robin. The waxwings over-indulged on the apples and sure enough, by the end of the day they were drunk on fermentation and banging into our windows.

The robin, well behaved as he was, was my first spotting of this loyal indicator of spring. And true to tradition, he’s brought one last snowstorm (at least).

Anyways, it’s the first day of spring and here are some delightful links for the season:

This Chalk Guy is popping up all over the web. His work is truly amazing!
Why spring came a day early this year? Think vernal equinox and other science-geeky things.
In spite of the snow and cold, I’ve been hearing songbirds I haven’t heard in months.
All you need to know about gardening: Here at Seed Savers’ free webinars.

Happy Vernal Equinox!

March Madness

March 19, 2013

This was the scene today as I looked out my office window. As much as I love snow, I couldn’t help feeling a toasty glow of thankfulness that I can work without leaving my warm, cozy house.

Staying home brings to mind articles I’ve been reading on self-employment. Has anyone seen this study by MBO Partners? Their recent research shows that the independent workforce is going mainstream and within five years is expected to increase by another 23 million. Not only are more people feeling their moxie and working for themselves, they’re also finding greater satisfaction in doing so.

Or perhaps you’ve read this New York Times article, A World Without Work? Author Ross Douthat feels 21st-century American life is gradually taking on a utopian decline of working, although maybe not necessarily by choice. You can draw different conclusions from his theories, but perhaps the comments are most interesting. Many of them touch on a developing “gig society,” where people manage on multiple smaller jobs rather than one career (The Daily Beast calls it “gigonomics”).

Gigs by choice or circumstance, there’s one commonality that puts a freeze on freelancing—health insurance. Once again, I have reason to be thankful. My husband is securely employed in a job that provides these benefits (he works outdoors no less, so on days like today I’m really appreciative).

But what about those who don’t have the blessing of benefits?

As our economy shifts to an independent workforce, this issue is addressed more and more. This Forbes article talks about the cost of health insurance. The Freelancer’s Union is a non-profit advocating for a better entrepreneurial life. And this .gov link explains how insurance options will expand under the Affordable Care Act.

Stay warm folks!

Better Roads To Faster Internet

February 15, 2013

“Decades ago, our state’s leaders literally paved the way for the Wisconsin dairy industry’s success by paving nearly every road that led to a dairy farm. This was a tremendous government investment and it paid off not only for dairy farmers, but also for their communities and our state as a whole.”

Lori Compas said this in a recent opinion article. As executive director of the Wisconsin Business Alliance, she was referencing Wisconsin’s Good Roads Movement, a state-funded program in the early 1900s that reassigned the responsibility of roads from the local level of government to the state level. Improved rural roads connected farmers to the rest of the world and allowed them to transport their product to market. These same improved roads went on to benefit the lives of every other Wisconsinite by way of better education, medicine, tourism and manufacturing, particularly that of the automobile.

Lori wisely used the Good Roads Movement to parallel our beloved Badger State’s need for improved rural Internet. Interestingly, small town and rural businesses are at the same crossroads dairy farmers were a hundred years ago. Non-urbanites lack affordable, high speed Internet. They’re stranded in muddied lines of slow DSL and deprived of important education, employment and business opportunities. Hey, Wisconsin isn’t the only state isolated from the information highway. This is a rural dilemma nationwide.

So What’s Being Done?

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), $7.2 billion was appropriated to ensure that “all people of the United States have access to broadband capability.” Part of this became subsidies to companies like Echostar (Hughes Network), Spacenet and Viasat (Wildblue Communications/Exede), who in turn offered free setup and discounted rates to new satellite broadband users.

Another portion was awarded as grant money to specified states for technological development. Originally, Wisconsin was one of these states. But whenever change, money and politics (of course) are involved, nothing is easy.

Or free.

In Wisconsin’s case, a clash surfaced when the federal grant regulations got in the way of big corporate contracts. To the dismay of many, the state’s government chose to return the funding.

A Necessary Utility

All politics aside, poor Internet is frustrating at least, debilitating at most. Today, self-employment and small businesses are the fastest growing sectors of our economy. They’re an obvious answer to the unemployment in many rural areas. Yet, reliable Internet is an absolute must for a majority of these jobs.

Here’s the thing—most people living in cities aren’t aware of this not-so-remote problem. To help with that, I made this little (and highly unprofessional) video of a typical workday with my Internet.

(I actually do have broadband. It’s a fixed wireless broadband, but it’s…well, check out the video below and you’ll see what I mean.)

Office Inspirations

January 4, 2013

Over the holidays I did a long-awaited overhaul of my office—cleaning, sorting, filing and painting. Unfortunately, I only got as far as painting the ceiling because I can’t decide on a color for the walls.

Indecision, of course, prompts perusing. And perusing, of course, furthers my indecision. My current obsession is Houzz.com. There are a gazillion professional quality photos with provided code for embedding them into your own blog. How’s that for sharing?

Here are some that caught my eye for various reasons (be sure to roll over the credits and check out these amazing designers and architects):

Eclectic Home Office design by Philadelphia Architect Krieger + Associates Architects Inc

My husband is the handiest guy and builds whatever my heart desires (no, I never take advantage of this). He built floor-to-ceiling cabinets and bookcases very similar to these for my office. I’m thinking a rolling ladder sure would be sweet.

“Oh, honey…”

Traditional Home Office design by Dallas Kitchen And Bath Brooke B. Sammons

The woodwork in my office is in it’s 96-year-old original shellacked finish—meaning it’s a rather orange-brown color. Yes, it limits my options for wall color, but I’d never dream of painting it.

Isn’t this office beautiful inspiration? (Believe me, mine doesn’t look anything it.)

Eclectic Home Office design by Other Metro Furniture And Accessories Horchow

I need to invest in a new desk chair. I love the red, but I can’t imagine spending a workday sitting in this one…

Modern Home Office design by San Francisco General Contractor Schmitt + Company

…or this one, although it does look rather groovy.

Contemporary Home Office design by Other Metro General Contractor Weaver Custom Homes

I love, love, love these doors on a track. They’re described as barn doors but they sure don’t look like any of the doors on my barn!

So which office is your favorite?

Speaking Up for the Small Guys

October 2, 2012

Today, one of my LinkedIn group members asked, “What if the internet was suddenly unavailable?” Of course a storm of comments followed.

Let me tell you what it’s like for me and my business. Like most, I’m completely dependent upon the internet. Sure, I could probably live without it. But let’s be real—there would surely be major backlash for everyone if we had to suddenly revert to pre-online days.

Unlike many businesses, however, I don’t have the luxury of reliable, high-speed internet. I do have internet, yes. But I operate from a small, 10-square-mile pocket that for some reason doesn’t get the clear connection other areas take for granted.

Cable or DSL? Not in these neck-of-the-woods.

Instead, I have WLAN, a point-to-point connection from my antenna to a provider’s tower. It’s hit and miss, expensive and limits my data usage. Inevitably, whenever I have a crucial deadline or a sort-of-large file, my internet fails (now you know why I love coffee shops and libraries:-).

Funny thing, I’m centrally located between Milwaukee and Madison, two of Wisconsin’s largest metropolitan areas. Not exactly Siberia. If I have trouble with internet, what about the thousands of small businesses in western and northern Wisconsin? What about rural areas in any other state?

Here’s an interesting chart of internet availability in the U.S. And here’s a New York Times article on how many areas of the U.S. still are without internet. Really? In the very nation that started the internet? At a time when self-employment and small businesses are considered the Industrial Revolution of our time, how does limited internet affect those opportunities?

Last week I attended the kickoff for Wisconsin Business Alliance (WBA), a new, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization representing Wisconsin businesses. As executive director Lori Compas says, “For too long, Wisconsin has been operating in a 21st-century economy with a 20th-century mind-set. Now more than ever, we need a new voice for Wisconsin businesses.”

The WBA is going to be that voice. It’s going to speak for entrepreneurs, particularly small business entrepreneurs, as they seek an “infrastructure that supports a resilient economy, including roads and rail lines, internet access, cultural assets, and public utilities such as power and water.”

I’m excited about this new organization and proud to be a charter member. When people join together and work for the good of all, great things are sure to happen.

Why I’ll Never Have a Successful Business

August 20, 2012

So, lately I’ve been totally swamped with work, which, of course, is a good thing. A very good thing. In fact, many self-employeds say if you don’t have that stressed-out-knotted-up feeling in your stomach, you don’t have enough work in the pipeline.

Add to that the George Lois quote “if you don’t burn out at the end of each day, you’re a bum,” and supposedly you’ve got the ingredients for a successful business.

My theory is some days you just have to be a bum.

Like when it’s your husband’s birthday and you take the afternoon off to cook a dinner completely harvested from your own garden. And you serve it outdoors on a perfect end-of-summer evening, with no mosquitoes (a gift from God here in Wisconsin because of this summer’s drought). And your family all comes home to join you.

And you hang white lights from a tree.

Don’t worry, I’m not always a bum. Just on very special occasions.