Freelancing a Proactive Move in this Tough Economy

Welcome back!

As the media continues to profile people across the country affected by layoffs, the housing slump and overall financial strain, there is something you can do to feel other than helpless.

If you’ve got a business skill that is in demand in this market, think about offering your services as a freelancer.  Graphic designers, blog/website administrators, virtual assistants, accountants, event planners, meeting coordinators, marketing consultants, public relations specialists and editors are just a few examples of some of people that companies are looking for.

Recessions are a time for companies to be conservative with their hiring plans.  Many will choose to get work done through outsourcing so that they can conserve on the kinds costs associated with hiring full time people.

With freelancers there are no benefits to pay, no additional offices to set up–employers just pay for the hours you work or the projects you complete based on your agreed upon payment terms.

Even if you are working right now, it’s good insurance to freelance on the side, providing you’ve got the energy and interest to earn extra money in this way.

So many people have jobs that are too far away from home or too costly to maintain.  They want to work close to home or at home.  One solution is freelancing and this can be a temporary thing or a way to transition to a full time business (especially if you are currently working).

If you’re interested in getting starting with your freelance career I recommend you visit Shelancers.

Shelancers is a professional association for female freelancers offering job postings and membership services and resources.

Why “New Urban Mom”

I thought some clarification was needed about this site.  It’s called “New Urban Mom” because that’s the perspective I share.  I live in a “new urban” community (one that subscribes to new urbanism principles) and I happen to be a mom.

But this is not a site just for moms, it’s for everyone and anyone who is interested in new urbanism.

That said, I do want to ensure that I reach women and here’s why.  For too long the new urbanism mantra, campaign, movement, whatever you want to call it, has been couched in language that few understand except planners, graduate students or super engaged environmental or education advocates.

“Mixed use”, “high density” communities is not the kind of language we use in our everyday conversations but it is the language that has been used for 20 years to describe new urbanism neighborhoods.  Not very enticing.

Yet the new urbanism lifestyle is beautiful, green and extremely livable! These are the messages we want to share with the people who will be making the decisions to make new urban communities viable.

Women or moms make the “majority” of decisions in households when it comes to housing. For that reason alone I made a conscious decision to promote new urbanism in communities where women gather.

If we’re going to renew our large potentially rich urban centers and save our suburbs from becoming future wastelands we need to engage more women and men in casual conversations about the benefits of new urbanism and its role in building a new economy, lifestyle and livelihood for communities.

We need to encourage our civic leaders to make decisions that will make our communities and neighborhoods, green, walkable places that support local businesses, public transit and create welcoming spaces for residents to socialize and to get to “know one another.”

Finally a treat for you.  Here’s an interview featuring someone I consider a true visionary when it comes to re-imagining our cities in truly practical ways. I’m speaking of course of Richard Florida. I’ve written about him before in this blog, and I’m sure I’ll be mentioning him again and again. If you’re looking for some fresh ideas not just on how to apply new urbanism principles but on how to pull ourselves out of this recession and into a new economy, you’ll enjoy.  Click here to listen to this NPR interview.

Religion and the Urban Renaissance

The urban renaissance began in the early 80′s with the rise of new urbanism.  We’ve been “reinventing” our cities for over 20 years.  But it wasn’t until the Green Movement took hold that other key segments of the community, like the church, decided to fly the new urbanism flag. .

New urbanism has for so many years been an obsession of planners, builders and a few enlightented folk, that the language used to promote this movement never quite resonated with the key target audience – the average citizen, including those people who may share the perspective I bring to this blog – “moms.”

I’ve often wondered where religion fit in this “movement” and today I read one of the most positive responses to new urbanism that I’ve come across to date.  That response was from (gasp!) a Baptist church minister.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“For some 20 years, America’s cities have seen a reverse migration from the suburbs to increasingly vibrant downtowns, where the new urban dwellers are finding an array of lofts and condominiums, restaurants and clubs, lively street festivals and vibrant art and music. The urban neighborhoods are attracting artists, musicians and others of what sociologist Richard Florida calls the “creative class,” as well as professionals, students and retirees—all seeking the energy and spontaneity often missing in the suburbs……To connect with the new urbanites, churches in their midst reflect a potent blend of artistic integrity, authentic community and groundedness—a sense of place that might surprise suburban dwellers—while also navigating the tricky terrain of increased diversity and toleration.

“The creative class moves around a lot, and so they’re attracted by the idea of being rooted,” said Chris Backert, co-pastor of Imago Dei, a new church gathering people from Richmond’s Fan and Museum districts. “That’s why you find them in older, renovated urban neighborhoods, because they find there a sense of rootedness.”

The full article can be read here.

The First Ladies of Sustainability

Sustainability is part of the foundational thinking behind new urbanism.  Building communities, businesses, products, and processes to last requires that a number of environmental and social considerations be made before action is taken. In this post I’m going to introduce you to some of the ‘First Ladies” of sustainability that I bumped into “online” who are making big decisions like this for sustainable industries.

But first, what does sustainable living look like (my daughter often asks this question)?  Let’s look at the construction of a community as an example.

If an environmentally conscious builder wants to create a community of say 10,000 homes, sustainable design would dictate that she ought to ensure that there will also be located close by, schools and places to work so that this development doesn’t result in the dumping of approximately 10,000 additional commuters to existing, over burdened thorough-ways.

Lets also put in place sidewalks and bike-lanes that will support many of these 10,000 residents in their decision to walk or ride to the store, work or school.

Instead of retail outlets purchasing thousands of plastic bags that will only clog up our landfills, let’s encourage (require!) local retailers to use reusable bags.

Essentially the sustainable lifestyle and work environment is all about good design–design that takes into consideration aesthetics and budgets, but also the healthy needs and behaviors of “people.”

To give you an even better idea of what the sustainable business community is like I’ve got a link for you from the people at SustainableIndustries.com.  They recently ran a feature profiling the “First Ladies” of the sustainable industry.

I think you’ll find these women to be enterprising, and successful corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. This will also give you insight into the kind of work being done in what is now becoming the hot and growing “green” industry.

First Ladies of Sustainability