So, You think you wunna be self employed eh?

[Ox]

http://www.todaysmachiningworld.com/are-you-sure-you-want-to-be-entrepreneur/




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It's a long way to the top
Ox

 

[Heavey Metal]

That explains why everyone else thinks that I am a little wacko.

Thanks

 

[aerodark]

I am sure it is much more lucrative and fulfilling to work for a pittance for an unappreciative boss at Rip and Tear Metal Products Inc...............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGfj65unNpo

 

[doug8cat]

I would really be on the fence about this one, I really like the folks who run the business where I work. It is probably the second job I have had where I feel appreciated and like all my co-workers, kinda like a second family. But I am in the process of trying to get my own shop off ground as well. I do machine repair on a lot of older equipment such as vtls, engine lathes or anyother broken down peice of equipment. Pros and cons to both. Comming home after a hard day and having start work again is a bit trying but I wouldn't have it anyother way.

 

[SND]

Entrepreneur.

Even as a frenchy I can't stand that word.

 

[Ciszewski]

http://www.todaysmachiningworld.com/are-you-sure-you-want-to-be-entrepreneur/




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It's a long way to the top
Ox

Hello Ox
Yeah but, one of the benifits of being self employed is that I can hang out here & listen to AC/DC anytime I want to.

 

[beaverracing]

EVERYONE should be self-employed once in their life.
And DEPEND on it for their sole income.


Seasick Steve--- LIVE ON LATER WITH JOOLS - I STARTED OUT WITH NOTHIN' - YouTube

 

[jackal]

I am just a machinist running a shop.

Never considered myself an "HONOR-CANOER"

JAckal

 

[dkmc]

Entrepreneur.

Even as a frenchy I can't stand that word.

It's really spelled Entremanure and it means 'one who handles all the shit, dodges all the shit, and
gets blamed for shit, but usually never has time to take a shit'

 

[SND]

I always saw those who introduce themselves as "Entrepreneurs" as being the same as "writers" and "artists", who are still in waiting for an idea and apparently until then they just attend powerpoint presentations on how to be entrepreneurs.

 

[scadvice]

Being a self-employeed business owner....

...I someday look forward to... (when I'm very successful and rich)... only working only part time and just for fun.

However, I somehow missed the fact that when I got that 'success' and need only to work half days, that that meant instead of being 16 hrs per day, 7 days a week minimum... it actually means only working 12hrs per day 7 days a week.

Steve

 

[rockfish]

If this thread accomplishes nothing more than that fantastic link to Seasick Steve and hopefully adding a few new fans to his music.......... it's been well worth it.

I think Seasick Steve is one of the best blues players ever. Not to mention the fact that he literally was a homeless guy living out of trash cans, and now is where he is today.




Frank

 

[Black Lab]

1. Yes, wholeheartedly
2. Flexibility is my middle name, my BP has been modified several times, I'll do whatever it takes.
3. There is more than one way to skin a cat, if someone can skin one more efficient than myself, I'll get a sharper knife.
4. I have ADD, I switch between thoughts alot. Boy, that bacon smells good...I'm gonna have to mow the lawn tomorrow...I love my dog...I wonder what would happen if I attached a bottle-rocket to the cat?
5. I can only hope the effect on my family is minimal.

 

[litlerob]

So, you think you wunna be self employed eh?

HELL NO, I am way too chicken shit.

 

[JAJS]

Sure wouldn't mind having the 5/40 or even the 6/50 again, with the $$$$$, but, and a BIG but it is, the creative freedom is the reward for the long hrs with little pay,
the sometimes not so patient customers and the always present responsibilities, plus, I probably wouldn't make a very good employee after having to do all the work of an owner.
I'm 6 years in, and it IS tough, but, I get up every day believing I can do it, walk out the door and head right into what ever is next, I'm not sure sometimes if it is stubborness or stupidity, but
I have managed to survive one of the toughest economies in history.
New products coming soon, only a few more 3:00 am trips to the cad system and they will be ready to get on a machine!!!

Thanks for posting a dose of reality for a potential new biz owner.

 

[borne2fly]

In the world of investing we're always told to diversify, spread the risk. And yet in the world of employment we're told to "get a job" ..... literally depending upon a sole source for all our income. I was never happy with this. It gave some "employer" way too much control over my life. As soon as I could, I scaled back my lifestyle to paid off all my debts and started learning about investing to get a secondary revenue stream coming in, however small. Later I began playing with machine tools and making widgets in my spare time, just for fun, but it turned out that other people started asking if I could make them widgets, too. Revenue stream #3. Then the big crash came and I found myself "unemployed", at least technically. So I stepped up the efforts in my shop. I make less than I use to but apparently it's still enough, and I finally have enough free time to enjoy life. I have no desire or reason to return to the corporate world, this is much better even though I'm working harder. Well ..... am I really? I mean, I'm enjoying every minute of it so it's hard to call it "work". Note that this whole process was a gradual thing that took over 30 years, it didn't happen overnight. I'd like to think it was the inevitable conclusion of having several passions. Someone once told me to always have a passion, preferably several, and preferably in things that can turn a buck if done properly

 

[Bobw]

I don't think I could work for anybody else ever again.

Self employed is honestly VERY scary at first, nobody is writing you a check every other Friday. That takes a bit of getting used to.

Even when times get lean and your down at the flea market selling old tools so you can pay the electric bill, still better
than setting an alarm clock and having to be at work at 7am.

I now find being self employed to be LESS stressful than working for somebody else. If things are going bad, you know why,
you can change that, you have some control over it. Don't have to worry about some jerk in the front office railroading you,
and if you go belly up, you still have a lot of toys left.

Lots of hours, but its not really work, I have a giant toy box, and I can make anything I want. I want a go kart, I go out there
and make a go kart, working on a rubber band gun right now, Why? Because I can. (actually I'll probably make 5 of 'em and
sell 'em on E-bay when things get slow).

I don't even think I'm actually self employed, I just so happen to make enough money to survive by screwing around and playing with cool toys.

 

[countryboy1966]

As far as I'm concerned.... More crap to undermine a person trying to make it on their own.

Our society hinges on the population thinking inside the box. I don't agree with it. What a bunch of crap.

 

[NJGunnar]

Never seems to be a shortage of people reminding us of the hardships and down sides to self employment. Negativity, much of it true but with a bias towards failure. Like some of the previous posters, I struggle often but also enjoy great rewards. (rarely of the monetary type, LOL)

I was an employee for 18 years and often wonder if I could assimilate back to one if I had to.

It's important to be realistic when considering self employment but it's imperative to remain positive while doing so. Emphasize the positive sides in your thoughts and those other challenges seem much more managable. I must admit though remaining positive is one of the greatest challenges I face being self employed in this field.

I too avoid using the entrepreneur title. Kind of like when someone says they're "consulting" when without steady employment, always seems to be an aroma of BS about the air.

 

[scphantm]

i ran my own consulting shop for 10 years. i finally had enough and shut it down last year. my biggest problem with transitioning back into the working world is limiting myself to 40 hours a week. im so used to working 80-90 a week doing 40 just makes me feel lazy.