Moms In Business: Arika Lewis
November 30, 2008 by Tracy
Filed under Moms in Business
Moms In A Blog proudly presents our friend and fellow Wahmmy, Arika Lewis of
What made you decide to be a work at home mom?
I’ve wanted to work at home since my oldest son, now almost 11, was a toddler. I missed out on so much of his babyhood. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out the way I’d hoped and I continued to work as an Accounting Assistant until 2004.
In 2004 I met my husband, Jerry. He was one of the few who believed that I could be successful working at home. He encouraged me to keep looking for work and supported my dream to become a business owner. He loves the idea of his kids having their mom there all day. Between you and me, it doesn’t hurt that I help pay the bills either! 
In September 2005, we welcomed our second child and I had slowly started finding clients. In July of 2006 I had to return to the work force. I missed my second son’s first step, which you guessed it, came the very first day I went back to work. That really hit me hard. So, after only one month at my new job I left and came back home. I just couldn’t miss everything again. That same month I officially opened my virtual assistant business doors. Within a few weeks I booked enough clients and work that I was making more than I was outside the home.
Here it is 2008 and I now own more than one profitable online business, am the mom to 3 children and am loving life. I no longer think inside the box but instead think in terms of what’s best for my business and my family and anyone else who happens to be along for the ride.
What is the nature of your business?
First, I’m a virtual assistant for Internet marketers and other online business owners at Take5VA.com.
I also co-own Yummy PLR with Nicole Dean, which is a website that sells private label rights food and recipe content to online business owners.
Most recently I’ve started another site. Due to my love of all things content, especially PLR, I started Online Business PLR where I put together a free eCourse that teaches people about the benefits of private label rights and how to best utilize it in their business.
I blog about life and business at They Call Me Wahmmy
What made you decide that particular business?
I love to help people and quite honestly, a VA business was the quickest way for me to create a thriving business so that I didn’t have to go back to the J-O-B.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Balancing it all. Work and family are not an easy balance, especially when you love both the way I do. With each passing day I find something that I can make better to make both balance out.
What has been your biggest success?
1. Hearing clients tell me I am worth more and finally believing it was true.
2. Having someone who I see as extremely successful come to me and actually pay me for advice.
3. Learning when to say no.
What is the best way you promote your business under $10.00? Article Marketing
under $50 Aweber
worth it at any cost? A mailing list! 
How do you balance work and family?
I wish I could answer this with specific things, but I can’t. I do the best I can and realize that the more I worry about it the harder it is to do. I take it one day at a time and realize family is my Number 1 priority. If my family is ok, the rest usually falls into place.
I also pray – ALOT!
To what do you attribute your success as a WAHM?
There are many things I attribute my success to, although I don’t necessarily see myself as successful yet. If I had to narrow it down to only a few things they would be:
1. First and foremost, God for seeing me through and giving me the strength and sense of humor I need to do what He knows I can.
2. My mentor, partner and friend Nicole Dean (Without my Nik I don’t know where’d I be. She truly is a gift and I couldn’t live without everything she’s taught me and seen me through. Love ya girl!)
3. Mom Masterminds (the tools and resources there are awesome and the atmosphere and willingness to help from members is AMAZING! Oh and the butt-kickins…yeah they work.)
That kind of read like an award acceptance speech didn’t it?
What impact has blogging made on your career?
Blogging is my outlet. Yes, it helps me make money, but honestly if I couldn’t blog just for the fun of it, I would go crazy sometimes. It’s also allowed me to meet some amazing people that I might not have crossed paths with otherwise.
Can you recommend any resources for WAHMS who are just starting out, or perhaps trying to make the transition from the workplace?
If you find someone you can trust, who is where you want to be, & is willing to show you how to get there…stick with them. The things you’ll learn from them are priceless.
Mom Masterminds – The connections you can make are priceless.
Outsource Weekly – If it wasn’t for the tips I get from this program I’d never be able to grow my business.
What can you tell us about your other ventures?
Oh my other ventures! I fell in love with content and the more I can teach others the benefits of it, the happier I’ll be.
Is there anything else that you want to share with the readers?
Just thought I’d let you all know as I’m typing this my 6 month old is sitting in my lap, pulling at my ears, nose & anything else she can get a hold of on my face. All while blowing slobber bubbles on my arm & smiling the biggest, most beautiful smile! My 3 year old is napping peacefully on the couch, and my 11 year old is resting in bed recovering from the flue. All while I’m right here with them. That mamas is what working at home is all about!
What is one thing you can’t do without in your business?
The support of my family. If they didn’t support me I’d have gone crazy a long time before I have. Seriously, they keep me grounded in the important things in life.
What one thing should be avoided at all costs?
Time wasting clients. There are definitely times you’ll need to spend extra time with a client, like when you first start out, but if it continues to happen and you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take the time to seriously consider if it’s worth it. Treat your business like a business. If you were the owner of a Fortune 500 company would you put up with some of the things you do now? If the answer’s no then most likely the answer is the same for your current business.
What’s the biggest business killer?
The biggest killer can also be the best advertising. Word of Mouth. Use it wisely.
What advice do you wish someone would’ve shared with you when you first started out?
Honestly, I can’t think of anything because if I hadn’t gone through all the things I did in the beginning I might not be where I am today. I appreciate all the heartache and scams I dealt with because they got me here now!
Thanks, Arika, for an eye-opening and thought provoking interview.
More From Tracy
Thanks Tracy this was a fun interview!