Karen Kanefsky, Send Out Cards - I have a wonderful husband, Mark and a son Daniel, a Jr. in high school and a daughter, Nikki, a sophomore in high school.  I graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of South Florida. I have been involved in Marketing ever since. The last company I worked full time with was a medium sized Uniform Manufacturer.  I spent 17 years with that company as  VP, Marketing and worked with a national sales force, large house accounts and headed the team to shoot and put together our seasonal catalogs.
 
1. What businesses do you and/or your family run?

The last 3 years I have been with Send Out Cards. I am now a Senior Manger with about 600 people on my team all over the country and in Canada.  Everyday,  I send heartfelt cards that touch others and help others to do the same. These are cards that actually go in the snail mail but are created online. It is a very fulfilling career that has helped many individuals and businesses enhance their relationships with friends, family and clients.
 

2. What made you decide to work from home?

The company I was with went bankrupt and I decided after all the time of traveling and pressure, it was time to spend more time with my family.  I decided to choose a company that I could deal with entrepreneurs and businesses verses individuals.  I was not into doing parties and carrying a load of inventory. Also, this was the most ingenious marketing tool I had come across in years! So, this was perfect for me.


3. What kind of support have you gotten from your community?

Funny way of asking!  I believe, you really don’t “get” anything from your community unless you are willing to give!  I have gotten involved with my area chamber and also some networking groups. We help one another grow our businesses and it has been a tremendous help. We also do some community charity events and of course, lots of card and gift sending to help others feel appreciated.

 
4. What sort of things does being self-employed allow you to do, for example, being involved in your child's life, school projects...etc?

Freedom!  I can work at my own pace, create my own demand.  My inventory is people so there is an endless abundance of that!  I have 2 teenagers and at this age it is so important to just be around and also to get them involved and to their various activities.  I do believe there is a huge correlation between being involved in things and getting into trouble.  It is a lot of car pool driving but very much worth it. You seem to learn the most about your kids in the car. My oldest just got his license. This is a whole new phase.


5. How do you feel your children see you as an entrepreneur?  What things are they learning by watching you work?

This is the most valuable lesson of all. They see the pride and excitement in my work instead of just seeing me pack and unpack and stressed out! They see me doing what I love and practicing what I sell. They are learning the balance between work and play. They know “work time” is when I cannot be bothered. But, their time is just that!  I love our family dinners. And, this year they saw that hard work and goal setting was what sent us on our 2 week Mediterranean family cruise!


6. How is being a self-employed parent difficult?  What sort of things (if any) would make your job easier?

I think being a self-employed parent is actually easy although it takes some adjustment at first. You MUST be committed to the work time and not run out because your kids want to do things. I know these are special times but I think the self discipline and your example is actually better. Anyone’s job would be easier if they practiced time management and discipline, consistency and belief that they can meet their goals and enjoy their career.


7. What would you most like for consumers to know about you and the businesses that you run?

Sending Heartfelt cards in the mail feels wonderful as you send them and makes the recipient smile and feel cared about and appreciated. There is nothing more rewarding than this. The cards are simple to send. You simply choose the card or create your own using a picture, type the message, and hit the send button and Send Out Cards prints it, stuffs it and puts it in the mail for you. You can even add a gift or a gift card.  AND, you can use your own handwriting and signature.  Both businesses and individuals benefit so much from this simple gesture.  Naturally, Send Out Cards saves you lots of time with regard to skipping the store to buy the card, writing and addressing and then of course getting it to the post office. You can send one at a time or a group of cards and they cost less than $1.00 each which is 1/5 of what you would pay in the store. The opportunity financially is very rewarding as I share this and teach others to become successful Send Out Cards distributors as well.


8. What are you most proud of as a parent?

My kids are thoughtful and respectful and goal oriented.

 
9. Do you have any advice for other parents who are running their own businesses or want to?
 
Choose something you will enjoy and will be passionate about and that will fit in your personality and lifestyle. Since consistency is the most important part of every business to have growth, you need to love it and know you won’t tire of it.

 
10. What was your favorite childhood toy?
 
This is a funny coincidence.  It was cards!  Not greeting cards of course, but playing cards.  My best memories are of the family card games.  We all played at different times and different games with one another and in all sorts of fun places!