Why Start Your Own Business?

[treasureacres]

Why did, or why do you, want to start your own business? Money ? Freedom?

[Jen H]

An intense need for independance is what made me first step out on my own.

I just ordinarily am very driven, stubborn, quick to make decisions, and need lots of autonomy. I'm willing to live very, very cheaply to have that autonomy and independance.

[MoonRiver]

Originally Posted by Jen H

An intense need for independance is what made me first step out on my own.

I just ordinarily am very driven, stubborn, quick to make decisions, and need lots of autonomy. I'm willing to live very, very cheaply to have that autonomy and independance.

I couldn't have said it better. There is also an element of creativity in doing it my way.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by treasureacres

Why did, or why do you, want to start your own business? Money ? Freedom?

Money???

Freedom was me, too.
I wanted to have something that I can work around my life. Rather than working my life in around my job.

[PonderosaQ]

The previous posters have covered it very well. However, my first experience with my own business was simply because I couldn't find work and needed an income during the downturn of the 70's. In the 80's I was widowed and had no family around to help out. Becoming self employed allowed me to take time when I needed it for the kids needs. I don't regret it and enjoyed my job but now I do wish I had made just that little bit more so that I could have a little income more in retirement.

PQ

[snoozy]

I didn't want to wait tables anymore. Not having a degree that would buy a job, I invented a business (a specialty travel service.) After 5.5 years, I sold that and opened a teahouse. After 11 years, I sold that and did a number of things, and then opened another teahouse, which has failed, so I am back to reinventing myself. I'm 50, and nobody's hiring us old farts, so I'm setting up another business again.

If you work for yourself long enough, nobody much will hire you because you don't fit the mold of "Employee", your resume doesn't read like most people's, and since you were the boss, you are your main reference. Frankly, I wouldn't mind at all being an employee again, not having the responsibility and risk, being able to leave work at work. But in this economic climate, it is unlikely.

[MariaAZ]

My position was eliminated and my boss suggested I do freelance work instead of hiring on with another employer. At that same time, my MIL had health challenges that required home care and things just worked out.

Sometimes I feel like snoozy, thinking how nice it would be to be an employee again and not having to worry about the big picture. But I'm incredibly fortunate that my business affords me pretty awesome flexibility in my work schedule, which allows me to help my elderly mother as needed.

[gunsmithgirl]

I wanted the flexibility of scheduling.That and I really never dealt well with having anyone being my "boss".

[catdance62]

I guess it just never occurred to me to work for anyone else.

[clovis]

I got caught in the recession of the early 90's.

I had just graduated from college, and went thru a couple of jobs. I finally landed a sales job, and even though I hated the area I was living in, and was working for a guy that had unbelievable expectations. But I loved the thrill and freedom of sales.

After that job, I found myself back in my hometown, with few job prospects. I was getting tons of interviews, but interviewing against folks twice my age that had more years of experience than I was old.

I did get several offers, but all of those were 100% commissioned, no benefits, and use your own car.

I figured if I were supplying everything, I might as well sell for myself, instead of someone else.

So I did what anyone with only $93 left to their name would do. I started a business. The bank was extremely reluctant to open an account because I didn't have the $100 minimum they required.

I have enjoyed the freedom, the ability to create my own deals, call my own shots, be more creative, be flexible with my time, and know that every deal meant money in my pocket.

Clove

[treasureacres]

I sold t-shirts out my dorm room in college for extra cash. Started my own concert security "business" my junior year of college, hired some of my football team mates, worked stage security for many concerts. Every thing from the Beach Boys, to Joan Jett, to Cheap trick! This was with out a doubt the funnest job I ever had!!! Promoters would pay me in cash, then I would pay the other guys, and most nights the money was gone after partying all night!! I had a very brief professional football career that ended with an injury. Then I had to grow up. I got a job as a teacher and football coach, and had 3 months off in the summer. I thought no sense in sitting around doing nothing. Bid on the cities mowing of the park and other community properties, got the bid, I was in the "mowing business". Also started my corn detasseling business the same summer, with about 30 employees. I have started several businesses since, and I still don't know for sure WHY I am always looking for the next great opportunity. It is not about money or freedom. I honestly believe it is because I have SEVERE A.D.D. I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder in my early 30's, and I need to have different things going on because I can not focus on the same thing all day, or just get bored quickly. I have learned to hire people to manage the important "paper work" type stuff, but I am very involved in the hands on work of my businesses. I will spend a few hours training people in our fitness center, go from there to a construction site to over see a project, then go get on a mower for a few more hours. Every day is different. Obviously some days I can not control as much due to scheduled meetings or other stuff that has to get done, but most days I get a lot of variety. The best part is I now operate from only one office, right here on the farm. I have been talking to potential clients on the phone,and they will ask "is that a turkey I hear", and I will say yes, I am hand feeding my Bourban Reds. That is why I love self employment.

[Kim_NC]

After 20 yrs in management positions with a large company, I just did not want to work in a corporate or company environment any longer. That ended 8 yrs ago and I started building my own business.

Now....DH and I are here at the farm/homestead all day. (Bought it in Spring '07.) We sell online and I work our websites and client sites. I can go to the gardens, or watch my chickens any time I want - can run laundry while working, a cooked lunch is always an option, and so on.

I like the peace & quiet, the lack of politics, doing 'our own thing', etc ....

[BlueberryChick]

To support my yarn habit.

Blue

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by Kim_NC

After 20 yrs in management positions with a large company, I just did not want to work in a corporate or company environment any longer. That ended 8 yrs ago and I started building my own business.

Now....DH and I are here at the farm/homestead all day. (Bought it in Spring '07.) We sell online and I work our websites and client sites. I can go to the gardens, or watch my chickens any time I want - can run laundry while working, a cooked lunch is always an option, and so on.

I like the peace & quiet, the lack of politics, doing 'our own thing', etc ....

This was us, too. And, we have three children and were missing all of their growing up years.

Dh still works all of the time, but most of it is here. I wouldn't trade it for anything and I have to say that it is probably as or more secure than the corporate world because, even though we did well, we still had to deal with all of the office politics. Yuck.

[THETOOLMAN]

Originally Posted by catdance62

I guess it just never occurred to me to work for anyone else.

Thats the correct answer.why make someone else wealthy?

[Alice In TX/MO]

After fifteen years in the classroom, it was time to move out of the control of the legislature, the state school board, and the administration.

I love and miss the students, but the hassle of the paperwork and bizarre behavior of people 'in charge' wasn't worth tolerating any more.

[MorrisonCorner]

I'm another one who got caught up in a recession (1980s) and started doing freelance work to fill in the gaps left by only being able to find part time work. And as I turn 50 I'm another person with a resume nobody would touch... but who wouldn't mind working for someone else for a while. My business has leveled off and I don't know that I have the energy, talent, or training, to kick it up a notch. Nor, to be honest, am I particularly interested in kicking it. Web design is fun and creative but with most hosting services now offering perfectly adequate templates for small companies, not entirely necessary any more.

I think, if someone were graduating into the current economy and coming to me for advice I would certainly tell them that doing freelance and selling your own services will fill in the gaps... but go through a temp agency as well. Get a bunch of employers who will give you good references and build that all important rolodex of contacts so if the economy picks up and you decide you'd like to work for a larger company you've got some tools to get your foot in the door.

[57plymouth]

1: I wanted to be my own boss instead of dealing with office politics.

2: I wanted to live my life, not be a slave to a company's schedule.

3: No one gets rich working for someone else. I won't get rich doing what I do, but I feel richer.

4: I never worry about layoffs or getting fired.

5: I want vacation, I take it.

6: I feel like I am in control of my life, instead of some idiot boss.

[Kathie]

I would love to work at home, but I have health coverage for my husband where I work. He had a heart attack at age 50. With his pre-existing condition, I have not been able to find an insurance company that will sell him health insurance. I even contacted the Insurance Board in Jefferson City, Missouri and was told there is just no coverage that I can purchase. They said if I leave my job, to buy COBRA for 18 months (which we would not be able to afford for over $1000 per month) then he would be HIPPA qualified. After he is HIPPA qualified, he can go to ANY agent that sells health insurance and they have to sell it to him, but they can charge any amount they want to charge for it. These are not my words, but the words from the insurance board in Jefferson City.

[pinemead]

I just got terminated last week. The office politics, micro-management, and stress of not knowing when the ax will fall - I'm done. I'll have to get a job somewhere, but probably not in management. My own business is what keeps me sane and grounded.