Who here is self-employed/runs own business?

[Biff_Loman]

I must say: having just started my own business, I'm having the time of my life. The independence is intoxicating. This is one of the most fun games I've ever played, and I'm getting paid to do it.

How many of you are self-employed?

[mgb]

I technically am.

[eyebyte_atWork]

I must say: having just started my own business, I'm having the time of my life. The independence is intoxicating. This is one of the most fun games I've ever played, and I'm getting paid to do it.

How many of you are self-employed?


What is it you;re doing?


I did think of doing something more independent -the problem has always been that I do not want to work more for less... and I am not sure what I would be happy doing that would be an open market item.

[Claverhouse]

Moved to Schools, Academics and Careers


sbw & Hustler both have their own businesses.


Claverhouse http://intpcentral.com/forums/images/smilies/ninja.gif

[eyebyte_atWork]

I technically am.


How so?

[Claverhouse]

I'm guessing he means he's on contract --- very popular over here with employers --- meaning you pay your own tax etc., and there is no obligation for future employment on either side ( except you need the work, and they can get anyone else ); but I may be very wrong.


Claverhouse http://intpcentral.com/forums/images/smilies/ninja.gif

[Biff_Loman]

I install low-voltage wiring in houses. This includes but is not limited to:

- phone
- cable
- ethernet
- security <----- the money is here
- closed circuit TV
- audio <------ and here
- central vacuum
- intercoms

Sure, it's construction, but it's fun and I'm on my own. Construction is booming at the moment, and starting this business has been, so far, easier than finding a job.

There's enough variety to keep my totally interested. I have to promote myself, work out pricing, develop new product ideas, actually do the work, etc.

Well, I could go on and on, but I'll leave it at that for now.

[CoHo]

I do both

[kuranes]

Me.

I do recruiting and cold call sales prospecting. I've been an employee and a contractor.

[Sue Denim]

I've looked into it, but never taken the plunge. I actually considered doing what you're doing, biff_loman, but there's a significant barrier to entry for security here due to licensing requirements. There's also an awful lot of competition for most of the rest of it.

I can see doing it. I acutally daydream about setting out on my own all the time, but the marketing side of it intimidates me. Not that I couldn't, I just don't like selling.

[kuranes]

Biff, in light of the security thing being a "money maker" what do you think about these people selling "Identity theft protection/insurance" ? Seems like a lot of that being offered right now.

[abathur]

I'm hoping to be in business for myself within a year. My dad once (a few weeks ago) said to me, "Business is like a sport for adults."

[Biff_Loman]

Biff, in light of the security thing being a "money maker" what do you think about these people selling "Identity theft protection/insurance" ? Seems like a lot of that being offered right now.

Sounds promising.

[nobarcode]

Good luck to you Biff.

I'm still self-employed and always will be as long as I can, even if that means selling beads in Long Beach or some such and making some sacrifices. There's always a compromise somewhere, but I've known for at least most my life that I'm not too good at... I don't have the temperament to work for someone else -flat out. So I've accepted that and I'm on about my business.

Thinking about things waaaaaaaaaay long term and all of the possibilities/directions was both fun, helpful, and as you said:

I have to promote myself, work out pricing, develop new product ideas, actually do the work, etc.

I have trouble with the first part, but it's become easier, or (and better) I find someone else who would enjoy that part of it. I also think it's much easier to 'actually' do the work overall, even if that means labor, given probable alternatives, which ends up being labor of some sort anyway.

It would be far too hard to describe what I do because it involves too much. Also, I've been working at it for around 10 years and some of it isn't entirely worked out yet [I think they call that trade secrets or something], but I wanted to mention the above quote, in general, seemed to resonate with me. Additionally, it's not too confining. :)

Yeah, it's all a game. I'll agree with that. It can be meaningful too if you want also. -if that's a goal.

[DevRock]

I'm just now starting my own biz, officially. I am so sick and tired of working for other people, having the life sucked out of me AND making other people money. I'm just struggling with how to make the transition from FT for someone else to my own gig, as we NEED good medical coverage and the income. Hopefully, it will pay off big.

Actually, today I'm creating a draft proposal to my boss to cut my hours from 40 to 30, as this job takes no effort on my part. I also have an interview with a certain fruit computer company tomorrow for a PT gig.

[sbw]

thank you claverhouse for the shout-out. I love every minute of not working.

Scott

[Nighthawk]

I've had my own business on two occasions. The first was a software consultancy ... the second a legal consultancy with my wife. Both were fun and offered some measure of independence. However, for some reason, I have always been able to earn a lot more by working for somebody else. Toss in the medical and 401K benefits and it becomes even more. Not sure why that is. Perhaps I never hit the right self-employment niche. I still try to keep some sort of part time business going just to parlay some tax breaks.

I am not good at promoting myself ... even less so since I have become more comfortable with my introverted self. I also hate dealing with customers. That worked out better with the partnership with my wife, as she is a more personable individual. Unfortunately, that business has dried up since the law governing malpractice cases changed. Fucking government always pissing in your rice bowl.

[sbw]

Actually, today I'm creating a draft proposal to my boss to cut my hours from 40 to 30, as this job takes no effort on my part. I also have an interview with a certain fruit computer company tomorrow for a PT gig.

when I quit my 'real' job, they let me stay on part-time in a sort of indefinite capacity, till I decided that the money for 20 hrs/week wasn't worth getting up early. if you have something steady while daytrading/stripping/selling crackrock/whatever on the side, that could ease the transition to being entirely self-employed.

Scott

[jjt]

I'm self employed, have my own business. It's nutrition. I am fascinated by this particular area, so it's like a hobby except it makes money.

I do a whole range of different things, consultations, talk to groups, run seminars occasionally and have an on-line shop / mail order business.
The web shop brings in most of the cashflow. I'd go crazy if I relied on consultations for money. I only see people for about 8 hours a week, so it still keeps it interesting, without being overwelming.

At the moment I only work part time as I have a couple of kids that use up my energy reserves!

Money wise it's a very good part time wage, but with way more flexible working hours.

[DevRock]

when I quit my 'real' job, they let me stay on part-time in a sort of indefinite capacity, till I decided that the money for 20 hrs/week wasn't worth getting up early. if you have something steady while daytrading/stripping/selling crackrock/whatever on the side, that could ease the transition to being entirely self-employed.

Scott

I'm drafting my letter as we speak. Although I do have an interview tomorrow which may change all that. Who knows. :blink:

[jjt]

when I quit my 'real' job, they let me stay on part-time in a sort of indefinite capacity, till I decided that the money for 20 hrs/week wasn't worth getting up early. if you have something steady while daytrading/stripping/selling crackrock/whatever on the side, that could ease the transition to being entirely self-employed.

Scott

I did this as well. I worked flexitime, 24 hours a week on various projects, plus consulting in the previous job I had (wheelchair seating design). I put this to my employers and they agreed, I had worked for them for a number of years and this setup worked for them too.
It would have been difficult to go from employed to self-employed if I hadn't done this.

[Biff_Loman]

Interesting update. My former employer threatened to sue me because of some sort of non-competition clause I signed way back when. I guess I shouldn't have solicited his builders.

It's this kind of stress without which, honestly, I dry up and die. It's hard to deal with the knowledge that I've potentially made a mis-step here, but this is so much better than being bored. I'd rather have my life be interesting than "good," whatever that means.

[INTrPosr]

I am currently in business for myself, but am painfully realizing that I don't have the discipline to be self-employed. I like Nighthawk, am looking to work for someone (Sigh). Back years ago, and on a thread here, it was suggested that INTPs create their own job description. Unfortunately it's not pragamatic. Freelancing would be so much fun.

[INTrPosr]

This is going to be an interesting thread. You heard it here first.

[adamaw11]

Just wondering how old all you self-employed business people are? and how old were you when you started up your own business?


I'm 24 and I started my first year of studying business at uni this year, with ideas of starting my own IT business. However it hasn't gone well, I've found the study quite terrible and uninteresting, so I've now decided to quit studying business, and I've applyed to study pharmacology next year, which I think I would find much more interesting, and could possibly lead to starting my own pharmacy many years down the track.

I've been starting to feel like time is ticking by and I need to get into a solid money-earning career asap. Maybe this feeling is my "quarter-life crisis"

[jjt]

I set up my business in my late 30's. Prior to that I had been in a job where I worked really independantly and by myself away from head office (some 4 hours drive away) This was was good practice as being self employed was just one step on.

[kuranes]

I've been starting to feel like time is ticking by and I need to get into a solid money-earning career asap. Maybe this feeling is my "quarter-life crisis"

Good move. Wish I'd been thinking like you as a young guy.

[eyebyte_atWork]

Interesting update. My former employer threatened to sue me because of some sort of non-competition clause I signed way back when. I guess I shouldn't have solicited his builders.

It's this kind of stress without which, honestly, I dry up and die. It's hard to deal with the knowledge that I've potentially made a mis-step here, but this is so much better than being bored. I'd rather have my life be interesting than "good," whatever that means.


Wow -yeah - not the best move (politically) - but I have seen this before - and it usually blows over after a while.

Good move (from a self discovery point of view)


There's a way you could solicit his builders with being legally bound in anyway by a no-compete. THis is probably too late concerning your situation.


Please keep us updated on your situation.

[Biff_Loman]

Please keep us updated on your situation.

All righty.

Well, it seems as if he doesn't actually want to sue me - I suspected that he didn't. He wants me to cease and desist and stay the hell away from his operation. He also accused me of soliciting his employees, something which, incidentally, I did not do.

He wants me to sign a document stating that I won't work for his established builders, and also wants me to divulge which builders I solicited. I'm not too concerned. He's quite the procrastinator - I think he's an INTP - and as long as I don't continue to piss him off, I think this whole issue might be a dead letter. I'll just ignore him until he starts huffing and puffing again.

[TPol]

Glad he doesn't want to sue you after all. I would imagine the non-compete clause had a time limit on it. I wouldn't sign anything that promised you'd NEVER talk to his clients. But, as you say, it'll probably blow over anyhow.


My dad once (a few weeks ago) said to me, "Business is like a sport for adults."

I like that.

I'm not sure I'd have started businesses like we own and operate now had it not been for my husband. I'm fairly sure I'd have been a freelancer while picking up an odd job here and there. It is not within my interests to have employees and to work with customers 8 or 9 hours a day. Yet, now that I am involved, I like it better than I thought I would. The independence, ability to brainstorm & make ideas happen, and the confidence it has given me to make good business decisions is awesome.

[Hustler]

I am currently in business for myself, but am painfully realizing that I don't have the discipline to be self-employed. I like Nighthawk, am looking to work for someone (Sigh). Back years ago, and on a thread here, it was suggested that INTPs create their own job description. Unfortunately it's not pragamatic. Freelancing would be so much fun.

It's pragmatic for me. It sounds like you're just lazy.