"The flexibility is the reason why I wanted to be an entrepreneur," says Stewart, who credits the autonomy of her work cleaning homes with helping her raise a now-teenage daughter on her own 'I was home to make dinner t was able to take my daughter to school."
Seattle Times - Working | Flex schedules help pay the rent and give working mothers quality and quantity time with their kids.
The Guilt-free working mom
FREE-AGENT NATION
Raquel Stewart of Tacoma, I 37, housecleaner
"The flexibility is the reason why I wanted to be an entrepreneur," says Stewart, who credits the autonomy of her work cleaning homes with helping her raise a now-teenage daughter on her own 'I was home to make dinner t was able to take my daughter to school."
She also brought her teen to after-school and weekend jobs so the two could spend more time together and her daughter could learn the value of selfemployment.
Stewart works as an independent contractor for Elaine's American Maid, an agency that subcontracts to struggling women. Besides paying its contractors what Stewart calls a "better-than-average wage," the agency encourages flextime and teaches entrepreneurship.
As her daughter nears adulthood, Stewart is using newfound "me time" to expand her client base and write a book.
