* Hours per week:

Whether or not I’m preparing for an event, I spend at least 8 hours a day working on my business—creating new programs, creating tablescapes, entertaining, et cetera.

* Typical working hours:

I don’t have a 9-5 office; I work anytime—day or night.

* Main current clients:

I enjoy teaching children ages 4-7 and also adults.  In the past I marketed the teenage group, but that was not successful for me.

* Earnings (in a good year):

I am fortunate that I do not rely on my business income to survive!  I conduct programs whenever I want and don’t operate on a full-time basis for profit.

* Favorite business reading:

I devour books written by Letitia Baldrige, The Emily Post Institute, and very old etiquette books.

* Favorite non-business reading:

I’m somewhat obsessed with Southern Etiquette, so everything that I read is related to what I do:  Etiquette, Southern Hospitality, Tablescapes, et cetera.  I enjoy all books and magazines published by Hoffman Media.

* Best way she gets clients:

Word-of-mouth, my website www.MissJanice.com, and my blogsite www.EtiquetteWithMissJanice.blogspot.com.  

* Worst wage-slave job she ever had:

Every job I’ve ever had has help to make me into the savvy business person I am today…some good, some bad.  I was a waitress once and the dishwasher called in sick and I had to do the dishes—didn’t like that one bit!

* How do you market yourself?

My website www.MissJanice.com, my blogsite www.EtiquetteWithMissJanice.blogspot.com, my Twitter site  www.Twitter.com/SocialGraces101 , Facebook-- Janice Sessums Gibson, my prissy Southern magnolia stationery, my fancy William Arthur business cards & darling Ashley Brooke Designs calling cards, and cute postage stamps with my Southern Magnolia logo and website name.  

* How do you keep your skills sharp?

I have countless training manuals that I have created from courses studied at the Protocol School of Washington and with Sue Fox at Etiquette Survival.  Studying those manuals definitely keeps my skills sharp!

* What financial issues do you grapple with and how do you overcome them?

Advertising costs are ridiculous!  I have found that placing an ad in the newspaper simply does not provide clients for me.  Staying active in the community and networking with other ladies definitely keeps my name out there more than any commercial ad.

* Whom do you turn to for advice and empathy?

On my blog I talk a lot about my best friend Teresa Jane.  We’ve been friends for many years and she’s a wonderful friend and a great business advisor.  We are both Southern girls and she was there when I created my business many years ago.  She designed my website and is my daily go-to person for advice.

* What was the worst project you ever worked on and why?

I once taught a class of teenagers who did not want to be there.  That was very difficult.  Even though I was excited about the subject matter, they could have cared less.  Teenagers are just not my market.

* What was the best project you ever worked on and why?

I partnered with a lady in Eads, Tennessee who runs a tearoom in her home.  I taught the dining and social etiquette program and she served the food and tea—wonderful & prissy Southern event!

* What do you say when people ask about “your job”?

I am an Etiquette, Hospitality, and Tea Educator.  I teach social and dining etiquette to children and adults.  I teach leadership skills (politeness and sensitivity to others, self respect, and self confidence)—skills that you can use now and for the rest of your life.

* What’s the best thing about being an Etiquette Professional?

I know that I would be comfortable dining with the Queen of England!

* What’s the worst thing about being an Etiquette Professional?

Some of my friends are intimidated by my etiquette knowledge—they feel embarrassed if they commit an etiquette faux pas!

* Do you have any advice for other Etiquette Professionals?

Know your market, period.  As I stated above, I enjoy teaching ages 4-7 and adults.  Also, know your material and stick to it.

* What’s your guiding philosophy?

I teach Social Graces…Southern Style—children and young people addressing adults with a title, showing kindness by saying “yes ma’am/no ma’am/sir, gentlemen showing respect for ladies—holding doors, helping them take their seats, and also Southern entertaining.  

Thank you very much for your time Janice. I really appreciate your honest and insightful answers. Thanks for sharing it with my readership.