Heather Floyd is the owner of Floyd Innovations LLC where she offers website development, custom database applications and other technology solutions for businesses and organizations.

I enjoy the problem solving involved in designing technology solutions for companies and independent professionals. I find that having my own company allows me to service my clients fully, including educating them about what they are getting - whether a custom software application or a new website. I like to empower my clients, which is not a high priority for some technology companies. I've had the pleasure of servicing clients since 1999.

Every business and freelancing professional can benefit from having a website. But many, especially when just starting up, find the up-front costs of a professional site daunting. Right now, I am implementing a new service for clients who are looking to get a true professional website for a lower up-front cost which is ready to grow with the company. I'm very excited about being able to enable more businesses to get to the next level.

I never thought I would go into programming or web design when I was in college at NYU studying comparative religion, feminist spirituality, and mythology! But a campus job introduced me to Access databases and I had the opportunity to manage a website and listserv for the Womyn's Center @ NYU. The rest is history.

I love living in New York City. Currently my fiancé and I live in East Harlem and spend a lot of time enjoying everything the city has to offer, including theatre, the parks, and all the neighborhoods. I also love to cook and we belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. We also are involved with All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church.

It is a challenge when working from my home office, since the opportunity to work is always there, but I keep a flexible schedule and if I work late one day, I might quit early the next. To keep healthy, I listen to my body, which might require sleeping a bit more one morning or getting out to run errands during the day. I also spend a fair amount of time in the kitchen, which is creative and fulfilling in a way that is different from my work, plus has the added health benefit of nutritious home-cooked meals.

I love the flexibility and freedom of being an entrepreneur. I can explore different ideas and interests and integrate my work into my life. Also, since I'm not constrained by any "company policy" or bureaucracy, I can always be improving the operations of my business for better efficiency and effectiveness - something that I've found very difficult to do when working as an employee for large companies.

If you are interested in going into software or website development, gather experience wherever you can. At first this might mean some pro bono work or charging a lot less than you'd like to, but you will gain such valuable experience and referrals - not to mention building up your portfolio.

My website is http://www.FloydInnovations.com, and there are details there about the new low start-up cost website service I am offering. I also have an informational website and free eCourse about creative DIY marketing at http://www.IndyMarketing.info.

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