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Veteran
Posts: 197
 
Location: Where God has placed me | It is my dream to be self-employed. I love small business. It is where my heart is. Tell me what you do and how you got started doing it? |
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| Go work at a fast food until you become store manager and then think about starting your own business .... lovin the thought and having the skills//experience to get the job done are dire necessities .. |
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I started drawing and posting on Facebook for fun, people started asking me for work. I put an add up and I dont make anlot of money but I did set a goal for this year. I did and do a lot of free stuff to get my work out. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I own an accounting/tax prep business. I opened it 3 months after graduating from college, scared to death. I had NO idea what I was doing; I honestly wouldn't answer the phone the first week because I just knew someone would ask me something I didn't know. Plus I'd graduated at the top of my class in high school and college, and I was scared of letting everyone down---that now they would all realize I wasn't as smart as they thought and not be proud anymore.
I was blessed though because my parent's best friend put me in an office and helped me with business contacts. There was also an accountant in town that was "downsizing" and he taught me a lot and in a way handed me his business. The friend is a true businessman and lead me when I got scared. He also told me to bluff my way thru stuff I didn't know til I learned it!!! (He told me to tell them when they asked something I wasn't sure of that I'd get back with them---then for me to go and start looking up and learning what I didn't know and then call them back. And it still works!!) I owe what I have now to these two men (the accountant has passed away now) and my parents. I started in August 1991, and it has allowed me a wonderful life. I work a lot of long hours during tax season, and I do quite a bit of work at home and at night. However, I'm also able to take time off pretty much when I want (except Jan thru Apr!!). It's not for everyone, but I'm very thankful for what God has given me.
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-12-29 11:24 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Unless you are going to own a restaurant or store, usually some kind of service involving certification or education is required. My husband has been a real estate appraiser for 10 years and is now a lawyer. Both involve being self-employed. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Northwest Florida | I love this thread! It is my dream to become self employed as well. As of right now I've got my degree and a good career to pay my bills and entry fees, until I figure out what I really want to do with myself!
I did complete a certification in equine massage and rehab therapies, however I have only worked on my personal horses and those belonging to friends and family members. I'm not confident enough yet to reach out to clients, in fear of them asking me something I don't know! (as someone mentioned earlier) I have set a goal though to complete more continued education and begin to start up the business in 2016. |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
Location: Where God has placed me | I have a Bachelors in Business Admin. I am not lacking in education. I work as a comptroller, currently. I love my job, but have always wanted to own my own business. Call my own shots! |
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 Googly Goo
Posts: 7053
| BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-29 10:23 PM Go work at a fast food until you become store manager and then think about starting your own business .... lovin the thought and having the skills//experience to get the job done are dire necessities ..
I know several financially independent gentlemen that aquired their wealth through the fast food industry. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | I'm an optometrist. After graduating school, I joined an existing practice, and then bought it from the doctor. He's phasing out and will be retiring.
Self-employed has it's pros and cons. I love being my own boss and making all the decisions. But it can be tough to balance staff, issues, etc.
If you truly want to be self-employed, I advise you to take some business courses. You need to understand the financial side of your business if you are going to survive being self-employed.
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | I am dreaming of the day I can be self employed. right now i am too close to retirement and the helath bennies that come with it. but I would love to retire early and than do a little something on the side. Just don't know what yet |
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Member
Posts: 11
| The number 1 thing you have to do is decide what you want to do, then determine what kind of market there is for it. Also decide what your demographic is. I recently became self-employed. I am a certified Project Manager and that was the basis for starting my own business. I am also a Utility Contractor. I make money through begin a GC, managing projects for a fee, bidding on RFP's etc. You have to answer the following questions to get started.
How are you going to pay for the things it takes to get a business started?
How are you going to make money?
How are you going to make money when demand or work is low?
Can you survive weeks or months at a time without income?
I am VERY VERY fortunate to have a husband that is in the same industry as I am and that through him I have a TON of connections, otherwise I may not be able to do what I am doing now.
I know its darn hard sometimes and I wish you the best of luck!! You can do it! |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| southern belle - 2015-12-30 11:07 AM I have a Bachelors in Business Admin. I am not lacking in education. I work as a comptroller, currently. I love my job, but have always wanted to own my own business. Call my own shots! thats just it you don/t call the shots the public is your boss
i have been self employed since 1 was 16 i am now 65 do the math i have not had a vacation since 08 i am on call 24/7 i made a dam good living
but each load i have to sell corp driver customer and their customer. you have to really enjoy it and stick to it have a cash reserve for the lean times
and never ever get into it with a customer even if their wrong
fyi all i have is a high school ed
Edited by vjls 2015-12-30 7:22 PM
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | southern belle - 2015-12-30 9:07 AM I have a Bachelors in Business Admin. I am not lacking in education. I work as a comptroller, currently. I love my job, but have always wanted to own my own business. Call my own shots!
My husband bought a Semi and leased a cow trailer. It was really expensive at first to get started. The next yr we bought a belly dump so he could also haul gravel when the cow market slowed down. The 2nd year we bought our own cattle pot and now he started to haul some feed too so looks like next yr a feed trailer or what ever that thing is called is in on the agenda. He makes really decent money, but he is away from the family alot. He can do whatever he wants since it is his business, but you have to be on the road to make any money so he doesn't take much time off. Hoping we can find a driver (scary thought with all the idiots out there) so he can stay home and ranch more. His dad is getting older so hopefully we can lease the place some day instead of playing poorly paid indentured servents... |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | TXBO - 2015-12-30 11:11 AM
BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-29 10:23 PM Go work at a fast food until you become store manager and then think about starting your own business .... lovin the thought and having the skills//experience to get the job done are dire necessities ..
I know several financially independent gentlemen that aquired their wealth through the fast food industry.
I think Mary Jo Milner and her husband (world champion Non Pro cutters) made money thru Taco Bell franchises. Guess that is more investment than self employment tho??
To the OP, work hard and if it's truly your dream, go for it. |
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 BHW's Lance Armstrong 
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | I wanted to work for Eddie Bauer my entire life. I got hired after college and hated it. Worked for 2 more companies and realized I couldn't play their corporate games so I quit and started my own businesses.I have 5 businesses now. It is hard work. Kind of like a farmer you work until it is done. It can be feast or famine. I would suggest if you are thinking of a business sit down and make a list what you would do different than the competitors and how you would be better, expenses, ect.Quality and service go a long way. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | Being self employed you do not have time off or vacations. yes I am my own boss but I work way more than my friends who have 8 to 5 jobs. My cell phone blows up constantly either by employees or by customers. And when you have employees it is extremely difficult to depend on other people to be reliable and dependable. |
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| Chandler's Mom - 2015-12-30 9:04 PM
TXBO - 2015-12-30 11:11 AM
BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-29 10:23 PM Go work at a fast food until you become store manager and then think about starting your own business .... lovin the thought and having the skills//experience to get the job done are dire necessities ..
I know several financially independent gentlemen that aquired their wealth through the fast food industry.
I think Mary Jo Milner and her husband (world champion Non Pro cutters ) made money thru Taco Bell franchises. Guess that is more investment than self employment tho??
To the OP, work hard and if it's truly your dream, go for it.
The Milners started Taco Bell and PepsiCo came in and bought it from them and took it national ...
Every business needs a system of doing things and getting the job done was my entire point of my first post ... fast food is one of these that have it down pat and it is easier to get promoted to manager in a high turnover environment and lots of money to be made ... and make your mistakes with someone else's money loss ...
R Beau .. said it right ...
If you truly want to be self-employed, I advise you to take some business courses. You need to understand the financial side of your business if you are going to survive being self-employed.
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-31 9:39 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2015-12-30 9:04 PM
TXBO - 2015-12-30 11:11 AM
BARRELHORSE USA - 2015-12-29 10:23 PM Go work at a fast food until you become store manager and then think about starting your own business .... lovin the thought and having the skills//experience to get the job done are dire necessities ..
I know several financially independent gentlemen that aquired their wealth through the fast food industry.
I think Mary Jo Milner and her husband (world champion Non Pro cutters ) made money thru Taco Bell franchises. Guess that is more investment than self employment tho??
To the OP, work hard and if it's truly your dream, go for it.
The Milners started Taco Bell and PepsiCo came in and bought it from them and took it national ...
Every business needs a system of doing things and getting the job done was my entire point of my first post ... fast food is one of these that have it down pat and it is easier to get promoted to manager in a high turnover environment and lots of money to be made ... and make your mistakes with someone else's money loss ...
R Beau .. said it right ...
If you truly want to be self-employed, I advise you to take some business courses. You need to understand the financial side of your business if you are going to survive being self-employed.
Thanks for the info on the Milners, I just remembered reading something in one of her interviews about the business side of their life. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | Great advice given. The only thing I have to add is self discipline. Being your own boss is great, but you have to have self discipline to get the business and do the work. My brother, love him but, he has had two businesses and had no self discipline. I heard excuse after excuse. He spent a ton of money getting the businesses advertised, buying equipment, etc... to do nothing but sit at home and maybe work one day a week. Needless to say, his business went belly up and he lost everything.
He talked about opening a 3rd business and I just very bluntly told him he didn't have the self discipline to work for himself. He wasn't structured enough and he agreed. |
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 Roan On The Range
Posts: 7889
Location: Stephenville, TX | Being self employed is an experience in itself. Honestly, there are days that I miss being on someone else's clock, punching out and going home to "regular" life. I also miss vacations. These days, if I only work 40 hours in a week it feels like I'm on vacation  I miss having two whole days off a week. I also miss celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Labor Day is usually my last day off until Christmas Day and by then I'm so worn out that I'm not interested in getting out of bed except to feed my animals and pee. That's it.
But I care very much about what I do. I still get excited about new things and new opportunities. I thrive on the challenge I think. I never got that feeling working for someone else.
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