O’Fallon Mom’s Passion Brings Life to Blank Walls

Christina Hummer painted for years, but it wasn’t until two years ago she turned her passion into her career.

A wife and mom of three, Christina Hummer, works out of the O’Fallon home she and her family have lived in for the past seven years. Her workspace, which used to be limited to her kitchen table, is now an entire room as well as a booming business. Hummer's love for painting began in college while attending Northwest Missouri State. She began as a fine arts major with an emphasis in graphic design.  But during her sophomore year, professors strongly suggested she give up graphic design and switch to photography and painting. She would tell herself, “I’m not going to make it big. I’m not going to be making any money. I’m not going to get a job,” she said.  So, even thought it would put her a year behind, Hummer switched majors her junior …

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The Virtual Life

Staying on Task: Working Remotely or Remotely Working?

Keeping one's nose to the grindstone at the home office is a job in itself. In this column, Edgell assesses her own efforts and seeks advice from a work-from-home professional.

Whether you call it working from home or telecommuting, the movement toward setting up shop somewhere other than a traditional office or storefront is catching on.  My aunt in Florida is a paralegal who also sells Mary Kay and has a virtual jewelry business. My neighbor deals rare books and documents online. I recently met a public relations professional who also teaches an online class for a local university. There are legions of people running eBay auctions for a living; doing medical billing; providing consulting services in a variety of industries; you name it. The U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 2005-2009) shows that four percent of the labor force works from home at least part of the time; more than 5.5 million people. …

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