The Anti 9 to 5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube

Anytime your business does something newsworthy—hosts a public bash, offers a unique class, makes a fat donation, gets a visit from Margaret Cho—it’s a good opportunity to get some local press.

For business-plan templates or free start-up advice, see the SCORE

If you have a computer and an Internet connection, don’t overlook volunteering virtually for organizations in your neck of the woods or other states—a great option for those with limited time, transportation, or a disability that makes commuting tough. More and more nonprofit organizations are using volunteers who telecommute.

To ensure I bring in new blood from time to time, I like to keep a Customer Wish List. To make your own Customer Wish List, ask yourself, If I could sell to any ten people or companies in the world, who would they be?

community outreach work “really good PR” for her business,

Of course, you can’t beat the perks: Every cent you make goes into your own empire (or pocket). You set your own hours. Name your price. Choose who you work with and what projects you take on. Crash through the glass ceiling. Get your work done in three-quarters the time it would take in some email-saturated, meeting-happy cube farm. Take your kids

loads of recognition for the organic produce she donates to neighboring schools and agricultural events.

Get on board. Joining a nonprofit board of directors is a giant responsibility.

Before you commit, be sure to Google past and current board members (usually listed on the organization’s website) to look for any red flags.