I think one of the most important things about who someone is,  relates to what they believe! That the internet can be a positive tool when used in an ethical way. That the internet makes us all a global family. That through this tool we can network and support each other in our dreams of independence. That the internet is an incredible tool for growth and personal development.
	I believe...

My name is Debra Townsend (AKA Willow); I live in Indiana with  my cat. I did the Haight at 15 and the communes at 18 and on and on. I still love the Dead, Grace Slick and Tie-dye. I had my babies at home, grew gardens and made granola. Needless to say alternative life styles and interests have been a driving force in my life for all of my life along with a Harley.

I have an alphabet soup after my name which I very seldom use. Debra Townsend, Rev, CRM, DIHom. I am sure the next question is what do those mean. The reverend is pretty self explanatory, CRM stands for certified reiki master and DIhom is an English designation for my degree in Homeopathic medicine. All of these have hung after my name for over 20 years. So how did I end up in as a web designer ? I love the computer and art work and tattoo flash. I have loved art all of my life. Creating has kept me sane and saved my children's lives on some occasions. I paint, make jewelry, cab stones, do web sites and graphic design, knit, quilt, weave.

I decided to go back to school and there are days I feel really positive and up about the whole process of a formal education, really excited by the challenge. Then there are the bad hair days, the ones where I feel like I have lost whatever sense I have to start school in my 50’s. Most of the time I am glad I have decided to do what I love doing!

I am not really business savvy but i do know how to develop a website.  I started a friendship with a woman while developing her website, Gail Wallace of Bellwind Consultants.  Gail has since become my partner and friend. 

We were sitting having dinner and a girl's night out when we started talking about different points in our lives and how many times we have started our lives over. We talked about how many women that there were out there like us (especially like me).  I have spent most of my adult life having kids or chasing kids or grandkids. I don't know a board room from a private bathroom (if you don't know what going to the bathroom alone is you have not had enough kids).  I do know how to use time management, how to get things done,  how to work for what i want and for my dreams, how to answer a phone and many more things that are required to run your own business.  I am sure that you also know these things.  So what is holding us back?  Look for this subject to be explored in depth on this site!

How do we outgrow the things that keep us waiting tables instead of owning the restaurant?  I believe that we can do it.  We can have our dreams realized with some help & support and some ethical guidance.  

I believe that there are a lot of women like me out there who are motivated and skilled, (lets see some CEO get six kids on a school bus!).  After my divorce and losing everything not once but twice, I have waited tables, bartended, delivered pizzas and lots of other things to keep my bills paid or not paid as the case may be. I have had my credit totally messed up by some man.  While all of this is going on in my brain I kept thinking of ways to work for myself and become independent. I have always done art and graphics and worked on the computer so I started teaching myself web design and development.  Having Gail as a friend has given me the confidence to go back to school and work on my web development certifications even at 55.  Yes, you can do this!  

OK, i am babbling and i need to get back on track!  I ended up talking with Gail about how to grow my busines in a positive and ethical way.  This is a really important concept to me, positive and ethical. Gail gave me some great advice to which i responded, why don't you do another site geared to women who are working or want to work for themselves who are not the corporate executive type but displaced homemakers and "Blue Collar" types.  All I found when I looked for information online was a lot of work at home scams.  Gail, being who she is, responded "lets do this together"  and that is pretty much how all this got started.  

I am putting the intent out there that the women (and men and teens) who have these dreams of owning their own business find us. I hope that this site helps them get to where they want to be.

Of course I have to plug my own business partswench.com ( Don't be suprised by my site, I just have not had the time to really do the site.  Enjoy my filter study!

Blessing to all

Willow