We love our members! In saying that, it is an honor for us to be able to feature them here. Our hope is that you get to know them as we know them...

Our Current Member in the Spotlight is: Maggie Harrison

1. Hi Maggie, tell us about your online business

Most important is "Life Ever After".  www.lifeeverafter.com  It's a website that I created to honor loved ones that have passed away.  I also offer Web Design, Web Hosting and Domain Registration under maggiesworld.com .

 2. What training or experience did you bring with you?

Trial and error. I am completely self taught but I had wonderful people that helped me along the way. Answered my questions and gave me suggestions and encouragement.

 3. What prompted you to leave the 9 to 5 and start out on your own?

I was a single mother of three children.  Each time I went to look for a job they frowned on the fact that I couldn't work past a certain hour or come in at a certain hour without complications of where my children would be and who would be taking care of them.  I had made a few websites (maggiesworld.com) for friends and family members, then one person offered to pay me to do a website. I thought I can stay home with my kids and make money. That was ideal.

 4. What benefits have you gained by having an online business versus a career? 

Wow. I think my online business is a career. But I understand what you mean. I have met more people than I ever would if I worked in an office or for a company. Even if they paid me to travel.  Being online I can reach anyone that has a computer, and now with technology, I can reach anyone that has a phone.  The potential for sales in any business is greater with the limitless connections the internet can give. Using Facebook and Twitter and a website and being on Google and Yahoo brings the world to your door.

 5. What were your biggest obstacles in the beginning?

Getting known. It took quite a while to get people to know who maggiesworld.com was and what I was all about.  And having my family realize that although I am at home I am working.

 6. You have been a member of Digital Women since 1998. What have you gained from that membership? 

So much knowledge and resources and bonding by women that I would have never met or come to know. There hasn't been one issue that I have had in all these years that a DW member couldn't answer or find the answer. The support is great. Each of us are basically in the same spot and its great to know you are not alone. And its good when I have answers that help others also.

 7. Has your family been supportive of your endeavor?

When my kids were younger it was easy to say ok time for bed mom has to work.
My biggest problem was my mother because she lived across the street. When the kids were in school, she would see I was home and figure it was time to visit. It took a little while but they understood and things worked out. I think my kids are proud of me. I know I gave them a very good childhood and we weren't rich but we didn't go hungry.

 8. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in a business like yours?

It's hard doing web design now because everyone is doing it. That is why Life Ever After is so important to me. It's a niche.
Not everyone is doing it and so I have what people want.  A person in any business has to find  what they can do best to bring that little something different. Just keep at it.  Don't quit just because it doesn't take off right away.  Ask yourself are you in for the long haul?

 9. Have you found it easier for women in business "online" versus the "outside" world? 

That's hard. I worked an awful lot of jobs where being a woman always made me second rate. An online business, unless you tell someone that you are a female, they have no idea.  I didn't have to compete with a "gender" my skills were what people wanted.  And that is nice.

 10. If you had to start your business all over today, what would you do differently?

Charge more. At first I worked for pennies because I didn't have the confidence that people would pay for my talent.
I would also be more aggressive and stand my ground when dealing with men in my line of work.  And advertise more.

 11. What did you find to be the "best" ways of advertising your business?

Word of mouth.  I tried the radio, TV, newspapers and magazines. It may have gotten my name out there but the cost was much more than the business it brought in.   Having a membership in  your local chamber of commerce and my membership in Digital Women and people telling others about my business really paid off.

 12. How would you say you were different than other people in your same line of business? What makes you unique?

I listen to my customers and their ideas. I do not make template websites or "cookie cutter" pages. I bring a lot of understanding to my designs and I do it till I get it right. Until they are satisfied.

I have to end this interview with telling you that we have found you to be a very valued member to our organization! Your talent, your expertise, your caring and sharing attitude has been an asset to us all. We continue to wish you all the success you truly deserve.

Visit Maggie here:


 Maggie Harrison

  Erie PA
  www.lifeeverafter.com
  www.maggiesworld.com (now merged with www.eriepcdistribution.com)
  814-392-1726