I’ve recently  become affiliated with Fab Job, a publishing company that’s been producing ebook and print books on popular careers and jobs for the last few years.

They’re a solid outfit, and I think you’ll like what they do.

Click on Become a Coffee House Owner to check out some of the cool benefits of running your own coffee house (which, as it so happens, is one of own secret dream job passions).

The FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner  is a step-by-step guide that will teach you how to get your coffee house open and how to keep it going.

Here’s what one successful reader-turned-cafepreneur, Tom Hennessy, had to say:

I opened my own café in Santa Fe. My business partners were also my best friends. We had already opened three other full service restaurants but the café was easier, and a lot more fun! It wasn’t that hard to do - I don’t know why I waited so long.

By owning your own coffee house, you become part of a rich culture. In our culture, coffee is seen as social, affluent, and hip. The FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner shows you how to:

• Buy an existing coffee house or franchise, or open a new coffee house
• Build a coffee house (including how to find the right location and avoid costly mistakes)
• Save money on equipment for your café
• Market your coffee house to attract customers
• Finance your coffee house business and manage your money

Popularity: 80% [?]

Do you have superb organizational, planning, and get-er-done skills?  Do you like working from home, for yourself?  Have tons of Internet savvy?

Then . . . you might like to know about one of the fastest-growing professions on the planet — virtual assisting.

Anita Campbell over at Small Business Trends has a timely article about this growing profession.

Check ‘er out.

Popularity: 62% [?]

Imagine enjoying the freedom of having your own business using your creativity and love of cooking in a high paying career as a caterer or personal chef.

Here’s what reader Mary Smith, of Lewisburg, PA, recently said about this guidebook:

I just finished reading your guide on becoming a caterer and personal chef. This guide was well worth the price. In addition to being loaded with a lot of great information, I found it to be helpful.

In this how to Become a Caterer or Personal Chef guide you will discover: Read more »

Popularity: 26% [?]

By Darren Gibson

One of the best ways to earn some extra cash revolves around the fact that we are all consumers. This is one qualification which all of us have, and we practice this skill on a daily basis. There are companies out there who are willing to pay for that experience — and some of them pay quite well.

Read more »

Popularity: 12% [?]

By Leanne Hoagland-Smith

EDITOR’S NOTE: I have a few friends who “moonlight” as real estate agents. Is it for you too? Maybe. Before you jump into the market, best read this.

A strong U.S. housing market along with the explosion of the Internet continues to entice thousands of individuals into becoming real estate agents. However, this somewhat glamorous industry where you set your own hours, choose your own market, get to break bread with clients morning, noon and night and make oodles of money has some very chilling statistics.

Read more »

Popularity: 6% [?]

In the 16th of my new Ask-A-Pro series, I’d like to introduce you to Kennette Reed, formerly an interior landscaper and now a business consultant.

In the Ask-A-Pro format, I’ll tell you a little about the author and how-to-find-your-dream-job expert . . . then via the Comments section to this post, please feel free to ask a specific question about the career or job in question.

Anyone (expert or not) is free to post responses to your query, and I or the author/how-to-find-your-dream-job pro may chime in as well.

This is your chance to get unbiased advice from a real, honest-to-goodness-been-there-done-that dream job professional.

Okay, over to you Kennette:

Kennette Reed, CLP, is a freelance writer, marketing professional, public speaker, and interior landscape consultant. She has written a novel, numerous articles and short stories. After ten years as an interiorscape business owner and florist, Kennette sold the business to pursue other interests. Her years of experience were used to manage the Northern California Regional marketing efforts for a leading landscape firm. Though her efforts have recently been focused on writing projects, industry projects include customer service and marketing consultation services to firms across the country. She is past president of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Chapters of the Northern California Professional Plantscape Association, and a past board member for the California Interior Plantscape Association. Prior to its sale, Kennette’s interiorscape company won numerous awards for interiorscape design.

Dream Jobs To Go Title
How To Break Into The Interior Landscape Business

Current Profession
Business and Performance Consultant

Websites or Blogs You’d Like Us To Know About
Kennette Reed and Interior Plantscaping

What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Consultant?
I’m not sure.  I love what I’m doing.  I enjoy helping other people be more successful.  I like sharing information and seeing people learn and grow as a result of my assistance.

Life Philosophy
Find work you’re passionate about and do it.  Life is too short to live it doing anything else.

Favorite Food
Almost any Mexican food.

Favorite Read
The Ultimate Consultant

Favorite Authors
John Grisham

Favorite Travel Destination
Mexico

Favorite Music
R & B

Favorite Sports Team
Oakland Raiders

Favorite Movie
The Notebook

Favorite City
Atlanta, GA

Favorite Country
USA

Favorite Animal
Dog – Shih Tzu

Your Hobbies
Home decorating

Favorite Quotation
I did it my way.

Favorite Drink
Cabernet Sauvignon

Why Do You Live Where You Do?
Love the weather and people.

If You Could Live Anywhere You Wanted, Where Would It Be?
Exactly where I am. 

The Greatest Things About Being A Consultant Is
Supporting others toward higher levels of achievement.

The Worst Thing About Being A Consultant Is
Not being able to get people to accept necessary changes sooner.

If A Young Person Approached You About Getting Into Consulting, What Would You Say?
Learn as much as you can about a number of different things.  The broader your knowledge, the more of an asset you become.

If An Older, Career-Changer Approach You About Getting Into Consulting, What Would You Say?
Go for it. 

The Most Important Piece Of Advice Anyone Ever Gave You About Life?
Don’t look back with regret.  Live your life to its fullest.

Any Other Advice You’d Like To Share With People Who’re Thinking About Getting Into Consulting?
Enjoy!

How Would You Define Success?
Success is a life filled with daily opportunities to learn and grow through experiences with the people, work, and things you love.

Any Other Comments About the World Of Work You’d Like To Share? 
There are a wealth of opportunities out there.  With so much to choose from, everyone has many opportunities to find work they’re passionate about.  Keep looking, and don’t settle.

Popularity: 18% [?]

In the 11th of my new Ask-A-Pro series, I’d like to present you with Susan Davis (writing as SC Torrington), caterer.

In the Ask-A-Pro format, I’ll tell you a little about the author and how-to-find-your-dream-job expert . . . then via the Comments section to this post, please feel free to ask a specific question about the career or job in question.

Anyone (expert or not) is free to post responses to your query, and I or the author/how-to-find-your-dream-job pro may chime in as well.

This is your chance to get unbiased advice from a real, honest-to-goodness-been-there-done-that dream job professional.

So, here goes . . . Susan on setting up and running your own catering business.

Susan C. Gotschall-Davis (writing as SC Torrington) has been a freelance corporate caterer and craft service person (”snack lady”) on film/video productions in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area since 1985. Starting as a production assistant on local commercials, Susan began helping the caterers on set. When The Bedroom Window (1985) began filming in Baltimore, one of the caterers recommended her to do “craft service.” (On most movie sets, the caterer’s meals are supplemented with a continental breakfast, an all-day buffet table, and sometimes, a hot second meal, all of which is provided by the craft service position.)

Because of her professional reputation, she was invited to become the first female member of IATSE, Local 19, the union that had jurisdiction over Baltimore film production. In the early 1990s, a new studio mechanics union, Local 487, was formed. Susan joined and was asked to apprentice and train several new members for the position.

In addition to craft service, Susan regularly works as a film production and small corporate caterer. Occasionally, she enjoys being “just a server” for many larger events, including wedding receptions and anniversary dinners.
Susan’s more than two-dozen film credits (although her position doesn’t always make it to the screen) include Barry Levinson’s Avalon, John Waters’ Hairspray and Serial Mom, and the long-running television series, Homicide.

Dream Jobs To Go Title
How to Get Started as a Caterer 

Current Profession
Freelance Writer, Assistant Editor w/Baltimore’s Child magazine, and home-schooling mom.

Websites Or Blogs You’d Like Us To Know About
http://www.sctorrington.com/ http://www.baltimoreschild.com/

What Would You  Be Doing If You Weren’t a Caterer or Writer?
Stand-up comic

Life Philosophy
Pre-production is everything!

Favorite Food
Coffee ice cream

Favorite Read
Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy Bear Catering Mystery series

Favorite Authors
Hemingway, pre-accident Stephen King

Favorite Travel Destination
A deserted island.

Favorite Music
Frank Sinatra

Favorite Movie
Splendor in the Grass

Favorite City
I’ll know it when I find it.

Favorite Country
I’ll know it when I find it, too.

Favorite Time of Day
4 a.m.

Your Favorite Hobby
Collecting Liguus tree snails

Favorite Website (Other Than Your Own)
Find-A-Death

Favorite Quotation
Regrets for the things we did can be tempered with time. It is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.—Sydney J. Harris

Favorite Drink
Syrupy Coca-Cola with lots of ice.

Why Do You Live Where You Live?
I’m stuck here. My family still lives in the Mid-Atlantic region.

If You Could Live Anywhere You Wanted, Where Would It Be?
Someplace less humid. Gimme 40 heavily wooded acres with a stream and I’ll build a bunker in the center. I’m an isolationist.

The Greatest Things About Being a Caterer Are
Edible creativity, independence, people-pleasing, and yup, the great left-overs.

The Worst Thing About Being A Caterer Is
Dirty dishes.

If A Young Person Approached You About Getting Into Catering, What Would You Say?
Go work for someone else first. Being a good cook does not make you a good caterer.

If An Older, Career-Changer Approached You About Getting Into Catering, What Would You Say?
Make sure you have plenty of money for the business start-up and to live on. Then, kiss your family good-bye on weekends and holidays.

The Most Important Piece of Advice Anyone Ever Gave You About Catering
Never look worried.

Any Other Advice You’d Like To Share With People Who’re Thinking About Getting Into This Field?
The days of starting a catering business out of your family’s kitchen are over. Understand Health Dept. Codes. Have a real business plan. Food is an emotional issue. Catering is a service more than a product. If you’re gonna be a temperamental chef, stay in the kitchen. If you’re gonna be a caterer, listen to your clients. And know when to say “No” to a job.

How Would You Define Success?
As a caterer, success can be as simple as getting through an event with no broken dishes and a client’s check that doesn’t bounce. On a larger scale, it’s knowing you lived up to your contract without cutting corners, all that obsessive/compulsive organizing paid off and everybody came away full and happy. Cosmically, Albert Einstein says, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” And on a totally personal level, success is getting to do what I want and get away with it!

Any Other Comments About The World of Work You’d Like To Share?
Never be afraid to quit a job you hate. Reinvent yourself often!

Popularity: 11% [?]

In the seventh of my new Ask-A-Pro series, I’d like to present you with Dr. Traci Vujicich, life and writing coach.

In the Ask-A-Pro format, I’ll tell you a little about the author and how-to-find-your-dream-job expert . . . then via the Comments section to this post, please feel free to ask a specific question about the career or job in question.

Anyone (expert or not) is free to post responses to your query, and I or the author/how-to-find-your-dream-job pro may chime in as well.

This is your chance to get unbiased advice from a real, honest-to-goodness-been-there-done-that dream job professional.

So, here goes . . . Traci Vujicich on life coaching.

Dr. Traci Vujicich has been a Life Coach and writer for 15 years. She has conducted more than 7000 one-on-one coaching sessions, helping clients achieve goals in their personal and professional lives. Dr. Traci is also known as The Writing Doctor, as she dedicates herself to curing the world of boring writing.

Dream Jobs To Go Title
How to Become a Life Coach

Personal Website
http://www.thewritingdoctor.com/

Current Profession
The Writing Doctor

What Would You Be Doing If You Couldn’t Coach?
I plan to build a personal development writing retreat on Catalina Island.

Life Philosophy
I believe that we are only limited in life by our beliefs.

Favorite Food
Sushi

Favorite Read
The Grapes of Wrath

Favorite Author
John Steinbeck

Favorite Sport
Pro basketball. I had season seats to the Lakers during the Dream Team era.

Favorite Travel Destination
Everywhere! I love to travel.

Favorite Music
My tastes are very eclectic, depending on my mood. I love rock, jazz, classical, New Age, and even some country.

Favorite Movie
I am embarrassed to admit that my favorite movie of all time was National Lampoon’s Vacation. Recently I saw all four of them in a row!

Favorite City
Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Favorite Country
This one!

Your Hobbies
Reading, cooking and watching stand up comedy.

Favorite Quotation
It’s not getting what you want, but wanting what you’ve got.

Favorite Drink
Again, depends on my mood. Milk, Diet Dr. Pepper, Miller Genuine Draft, Absolut Mandarin vodka, chardonnay and pinot noir wine, and champagne.

Why Do You Live Where You Live?
The weather.

If You Could Live Anywhere You Wanted, Where Would It Be?
Catalina Island

The Greatest Things About Coaching Are
The ability to make a real difference in peoples’ lives, and the chance to work for myself.

The Worst Thing About Coaching
The pressure to get new clients.

If A Young Person Approached You About Getting Into Coaching, What Would You Say?
Go for it!

If An Older, Career-Changer Approached You About Getting Into Coaching, What Would You Say?
Go for it!

The Most Important Piece Of Advice Anyone Ever Gave You About Coaching
Go for it! Just kidding. Seriously, I’ve been coaching for so long that I don’t even remember not doing it.

Any Other Advice You’d Like To Share With People Who’re Thinking About Getting Into Coaching
Buy my book.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Dream Jobs To Go author Kim LaPolla has her hands in lots of pies, including her Crazy By Design blog about her quilting and other art endeavors.

Kim also runs the Greenville Arms 1889 Inn in upstate New York and is the Art Workshop Director of Hudson River Valley Art Workshops, which presents workshops by professional artist instructors in fiber arts and painting.

Kim is the author of two Dream Jobs To Go ebooks, How to Get Started as a Quilt Artist and How to Get Started as a Technical Writer.

Check ‘em out.

Popularity: 21% [?]

This is one of the best sites I’ve seen on listings for the restaurant industry.  I especially like their career center where they provide loads of real-world tips and everything from resume writing to building a portfolio (yup, that can apply to cooks too).  Click Star Chefs Job Finder for more details.

Popularity: 17% [?]