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always thought it was more about being in control of your work load and life style. Approach it from that perspective rather than making lots of money. That will follow when your happy you tend to be successful
It can go either way. I know some self employed people who earn relatively little and work every hour under the sun, whereas others (not IME the majority) who do very nicely with low hours and holidays abroad.
Obviously your choice of self-employment is pretty crucial, but I've also concluded that some people are just better at making money than others, they have the knack.
I really wouldn't advise anyone without any knowledge of a business to go on their own/start a company. You definitely need to understand it all, how you can make a difference, have contacts to get your off the ground etc.
I did it as a cry for help to point out my mental health issues.
Actually I did it because I view everyone except me with utter and complete contempt, yet they still continue to demonstrate that I'm clearly overestimating their abilities. The muppets!
There comes a point where you just have to do it yourself in order to avoid them, or at least be the one telling them what to do.
Hora - who are you trying to kid? Sounds like yourself, to me. If you don't do it now, you never ever will. MTFU buttercup! 😛
Rockape63 - Member
I really wouldn't advise anyone without any knowledge of a business to go on their own/start a company. You definitely need to understand it all, how you can make a difference, have contacts to get your off the ground etc.
I strongly disagree.
You can buy any expertise you need. The main thing needed is your own motivation and drive. Contacts can be made by assiduous networking.
Actually I did it because I view everyone except me with utter and complete contempt
This. Meetings. I hated meetings. Total waste of time, listening to idiots pontificating to show off. Now I never have to go to a meeting ever again.
I really wouldn't advise anyone without any knowledge of a business to go on their own/start a company.
Completely the opposite. I need to know how to make bicycles, I don't need to know about business accounts, company law or stuff like that, when I need that expertise I hire an accountant or lawyer.
I have mentioned this before but there is a world of difference between starting a business and working for yourself (self employed tradesman sub contractor etc) starting a business that requires staff, premises, equipment is a serious commitment with serious risk and it's amazing just how much profit is required to even make a small proper business work - but I would rather be poor than work for idiots
This is also true. I've tried employing people, it takes all the fun out of it.
I was made redundant 2.5 years ago, after searching for jobs for 4 months non of them fitted what I wanted to do and pigeon holed me. Just as the redundancy money ran out I was contacted by a previous employer to do some contract work from them and it's gone on from there. After a good start things are drying up a bit - new business is not my forte - and the first moments of self doubt are appearing.
I'm also exploring the possibility of setting up a similar business with a friend, combined we will have a wider offering to our clients and it's always could to have someone to bounce ideas off of. He's got to leave a secure job (with long hours and high stress) so that's difficult jump for him.
Its something I always wanted to do. I like my own company and am shy so working on my own wasn't going to be a problem.
I worked 6.5 days per week for not a lot of money.
So with the help of family I set up on my own.
At first I carried on in my job, then in the evenings and weekends built up my own customer base and worked for myself. 6 months later I made the break.
Hours were long and hard but the money and decisions were mine.
There is a lot of outlay at the beginning but I was very young when starting out. I still lived at home and had no responsibilities.
Being your own boss isn't for everyone but most people know if they will do well.
I decided to do it some 11 years ago. Resigned, got a £5k bank loan (surprisingly easy to do back then - they didn't even ask to see our business plan), went on a biking holiday ( 8) ) then started my new job. Didn't take any money for the first few months then slowly started to take a larger amount.
Nearly went under at the beginning of the recession but just managed (by the skin of our teeth) to survive after making redundancies and there was just the three of us left. Slowly made our way back up again and now there are eight of us and looking to employ another.
Don't make silly money but have a nice car and my wife has a 'job' with us too. And I get to go home early when I want, get to do say when I want to work from home/take the dog to the vet/stay at home with an ill child etc etc
Being your own boss isn't for everyone but most people know if they will do well.
Depends how bad the alternative is too. Or your tolerance levels.
After losing my business at the height of the financial shitstorm I was briefly forced to take a proper 'job'. I quickly learned that over the preceding years I had developed a pathological dislike of:
a) Being told what to do
b) Internal company politics
c) Dickheads
Now safely self-employed again, I have refreshingly few dealings with any of them 😀
I remember very well what you went through Binners and your description of those shitbags who ****ed you over on invoices then a trio of them had the nerve to ask 'forget the past/do more work for us'?
Yet you can still see the positives of going back to self employed.
I'm currently in limbo, painful limbo on what to do. I'm sat at home thinking 'employed or self employed? But I don't know what to do. Every day is like groundhog day. I should listen to you.
Hora, I don't know what your career was mate, but could you not do both for example start somewhere then gradually move away to working alone ?
May be complete different to you, if so I apologise, but I started working with a driving school then as I built my client base went completely independent.