I am also an ESL language trainer with my own business for the
past ten years, and I would second what Jennifer, Jill, and Ronna have
already said.

It is a wonderful way to use your teaching/training skills to help people
communicate more effectively at work while having some control over your
schedule, pay, and work/life balance.

I think it is important to develop a niche in terms of what you teach and 
who your clients are.  That may change over time as the market for your services changes.
Word of mouth and referrals have been the best way for me to get business.  Marketing
with a fancy brochure did little for me other than establish credibility.  I agree, however,
that a website is a must.

I have met other independent contractors at  local and national TESOL conferences.
The ESP (English for Specific Purposes) section of TESOL often has workshops/meetings
that include workplace training/trainers.

Judy West
English That Works, Inc.
215-493-4952
jwest at englishthatworksinc.com
www.englishthatworksinc.com




----- Original Message ----- 
From: Brian, Dr Donna J G 
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Sent: 1/6/2007 12:18:51 PM 
Subject: [Workplace 535] Independent Contractors


When I look at each of these independent contractors' websites, it's obvious that each has found or created a niche (rather broad niches, at that!) for their interests and expertise.  I may be getting into a hornet's nest here in asking about your businesses because the purpose of the list is not to advertise businesses but rather to share information about workplace literacy, but you both have done a good job of presenting your information without overtly drumming up business, and I think your experiences would be of interest to adult educators on the list who have been considering how to stay in their field of interest but make a living too.  Are there other list members who have experiences to share?  And are there questions from list members for Jennifer and Jill and others who work independently about their work?

Donna






I, too, am an adult educator who started my own business.  I have an Ed.D. in Adult Ed from NCSU.  I have a BBA in Marketing.  I have been on my own for 12 years, and I recommend it.  As an independent, you make your own job security by being relevant and serving important needs well.

Jennifer Coplin
Sales and Customer Support
Aztec Learning Software / East Coast Learning
6071 Bob Daniel Road
Oxford, NC 27565
Ph 888 615 8301
Fx 919 603 1878
jennifer at eastcoastlearning.com
www.aztecsoftware.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Brian, Dr Donna J G 
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List 
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 6:02 PM
Subject: [Workplace 531] Re: Hello from a new member


We have such a lot of expertise on this list!  I'm interested in your background and how you came to start this business, Jill.  Did you have a background in adult education along with being a linguistic anthropologist?  There is such a great amount of stress on our adult educators what with the uncertainty of future funding of programs that some of them may want to consider starting their own businesses as you did.  

Thanks to Ronna for sharing the information about the list.  That's a great way to increase our membership!

Donna

Donna Brian, Moderator
Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Center for Literacy Studies at The University of Tennessee
djgbrian at utk.edu




From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Jill K. Bishop
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 1:31 PM
To: workplace at nifl.gov
Subject: [Workplace 527] Hello from a new member


Hello everyone:
 
I’m a new member, and Donna suggested I introduce myself to the group.  
 
I’m a linguistic anthropologist, and I started a business here in Chicago almost two years ago focusing on improving communication in the workplace.  We offer onsite English and Spanish training (both ongoing classes and workshops), diversity training, Spanish-language supervisor development and sexual harassment training, as well as translation/interpretation services.  It’s been an interesting, challenging and rewarding time!  When not focusing on the business, I’m with my husband and 6-month old son in our never-ending-rehab-project of a 109-year old house.  I found out about this list from Ronna Timpa, and I’m looking forward to participating.
 
Happy New Year!
 
Jill Bishop
 
Jill K. Bishop, PhD
President
Workforce Language Services, LLC
Office: 773.292.5500 | Cell: 312.493.9497 
www.workforcelanguageservices.com

*Bridging Language & Culture in the Workplace*
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