Having a business at home seems like a wonderful dream for many people. A lifestyle to aspire to and luxury most don't have. The reality can be somewhat different. Motivation, isolation, lack of space and the distraction of people dropping in, kids and family are just a few of the challenges that must be faced.

The biggest issue especially for women is the fact that most  don't have a network to support them. I don't mean just family or friends but a network of like-minded people who have the same challenges. This peer network is one that tells you that you aren't insane, that there are other people out there who face the same things as you and can offer you a friendly ear when you need it. That network that makes you feel that you are not alone in the world.

Finding a network like this is a task that is necessary and one that could help your business enormously. I was in rural WA last week running a workshop and although this town had 6000 people, the people in that room did not know each other. The comment that has come back most often from these events is that they did not know that other business people could be so supportive. The relief was evident and they are now a part of our growing support network.

Join U-net today and, as well as free information, we will help to connect you to others like you.

International Women's Day (IWD) celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women.

The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States.  The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century, amid rapid world industrialisation and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. Women from clothing and textile factories staged one such protest on 8 March 1857 in New York City.  The garment workers were protesting about what they saw as very poor working conditions and low wages.

More protests followed on 8 March in subsequent years, most notably in 1908 when 15 000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.  In 1910, the first international women's conference was held in Copenhagen and an 'International Women's Day' was established.

In the West, International Women's Day was commemorated during the 1910s and 1920s, but dwindled. It was revived by the rise of feminism in the 1960s.

IWD is now an official holiday in Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues with flowers and small gifts.

If you are interested to see the universal involvement in this initiative, go to www.internationalwomensday.com

Inevitably, and probably on Thursday, we will hear the question "what about International Men's Day?"  Before you answer that every other day is just that, you might like to read a response from Dr Michael Flood (http://www.xyonline.net/downloads/International_Mens_Day.pdf), who makes some interesting observations about the rationale for such a celebration.

Whoever, and wherever, you are on 8 March 2007, may you take some time to acknowledge and appreciate the women in your life.

Sources:  Wikipedia; www.internationalwomensday.com