Who here owns their own business?

I doubt many do since most people here are too young to open up a business, but do you own your own business? Do you know anybody who does?

I'm thinking this may be a path I should look into since post-sec. education courses aren't quite so appealing to me at the moment and especially since business expenses are at an all-time low with E-commerce and such. I've taken Entrepreneurship for 2 years now in High School too so I'm not completely new to some home-business concepts.

so for those who own their own business:

- what is your product or service?
- when did you start?
- what were your start-up costs?
- how long before you were maintaining a steady profit?


if you know any family/friends with businesses, how would the above questions apply to them?


i don't expect too many replies for this thread so any responses would be great! :D

I sold my business last year cause I wanted a change, so I might could help a little.

I started a business building and tuning image and race cars and importing exotic car parts. I have always loved cars, speed, racing - you name it. In high school my house was the "rebuild" house and I had all the toys noone else had - engine lift, welder, bender, lathe, etc. I got the rep as the local car guy and fastest at the track. So with having the tools accumulate through the years, and all the contacts I had made - its hard to determine what start-up costs were.

In 1998 I bought a website and signed a lease to rent a place for a year at 650/mo. Went to the races, beat some people, and within 3 months had more business than I could deal with alone. I guess that is what really helped launch it, there was no shortage of initial business - I found a good niche at a good time.

Hired a couple of guys for the shop, a translator and someone to help me with the books - the WORST part about owning your own business is having to deal with paperwork and banking crap when all ya wanna do is be out there welding something, doing what you love that got you here in the first place- and went this route for a couple of years, until I offloaded all the "management" of the office to new employees. Changed location for a larger facility, invested more in the website and so on.

Finally, after 3+ years of 6am to 6pm boring ass days of learning about how to run a business, I can finally be in the shop and in the field and on the track again. Worked my dream job for about 3 more years, and then realized I was losing the love for my true passion - cars. It had turned into needing X number of clients a month to make X dollars and not at all what I had envisioned. Too much schmoozing and bench racing, not enough fabrication or hands-on.

So before I lost it completely, I sold my share to my partner, and relocated 1000 miles away to get a new start. Bought land instead of a house, and built my place how I wanted it. With my cost of living and overhead so decreased in many ways, and my creativity and desire flooded once again, I now get to work exactly how I want and my quality of life is 100X better now. No more stress, no more quotas or deadlines. Couple of steady customers, lots of track time and tuning, and my own hours. I'm not gonna get Bill Gates rich or anything, but I dont necessarily want or need that. I could quit today and retire if I chose, under 40, and maintain my current lifestyle. That is the real feeling of accomplishment.

Anyways, to stop the rambling, a couple of pieces of advice on starting your own business I would give are:

1. Be careful embarking upon a career that involves a hobby - when the two get intertwined, it causes much stress and you may lose the love for a true passion.
2. Find a trustworthy partner or associate interested in the same goals early, preferably one who has expertise in things you don't, and vice versa.
3. Be prepared to work hard, long hours doing things that you may not like when you start if you want to see end results.
4. NEVER invest/upgrade equipment,location,advertising until you absolutely have to. Many start-ups die because of overshooting what the needs are and overinvesting - too many computers,employees, too many sq/ft, superbowl ads etc etc

Timing can be everything - now there are so many "race shops" everywhere that it would be tough to start one up without considerable reputation or experience.

Sorry I couldn't answer your questions in the format you specified, but very few businesses could - there are many variables.

I own seven businesses. Because I use my real name and you can find the area I live in I cannot go into detail of all of the things I do. I live in a small town and do not need the neighbors talking about me posting on a pot web site.

One of the businesses was a hobby I turned into a profession. With a little Internet research you could figure it out.

For the first business I put in about 7 years of total dedication and every dime I could find. I sacrificed friends faced dam near starvation and dealt with years of frustration. This is how I financed the other businesses.

I have three website businesses. These varied in cost from $200 to $2000 each. They are in areas that I am an expert in. If I knew HTML programing it would have been less.

The other businesses I own cost between $10,000 and $30,000. I do not have a store front for any of these as that would have brought the cost up big time. All my businesses are related to my original business in one way or another.

The first business is always the hardest. After you succeed in one it is easy to succeed in multiple businesses.

Whatever you do make sure you become an expert in it. Then you must understand who buys what you sell and why. Understanding sales and marketing is essential. If a web business understand how to write good copy and ask for the sale. Search engine marketing is important because if people do not know your site is there, they will not buy.

For non web business networking is vital. If people do not know who you are and what you do they cant give you their money.

Study accounting or hire someone. Always get a pro's help with taxes. Know your product.

If you want to ask other questions please do. Again I cannot go into details of all my businesses. But I do understand the world of business and will share what I know.

I am a 40 year old pot smoking guy. So I dont quallify as a kid.

Thanks guys. I've been told multiple times now not to mix business and hobbies, so I guess that's a major peice of advice.

Tokudai --- sounds like you've had quite the business experience. I'd ask you more questions but you say you found your niche fast and at the right time, and that's my problem right now. I want to have a career dealing with music in some capacity but I don't want to deal with the overall bullshit that is the Music Industry (it's a load of crap, trust me). I just really cannot find a way to incorporate music into a self-made business that isn't being done by hundreds of people per city already (magazines, recording studios to name a few). It's killing me, college applications are due in 3 weeks and I have no idea if that is the route to take anymore.

Ericwt --- may I ask what your original business was dealing with? Not specifically if you don't want to answer, but the area you expertised in. Was it something you liked so you started it? Was the market ready for something like this so you took advantage? I'm not sure if I should try to incorporate something I like into my business to make it a passion or just find what the market is looking for right now and get on the gravy train. The problem with the gravy train though is, if it turns out to be a fad and ends, where does that leave me?

i dont own one yet... but some day, i plan on leaving mary jane behind for a while, going to school, going to a tech school, called universal technical institute, were i plan on learning about car motors, car transmissions, the interiors of cars, car breaks, and car drive lines... then im going to do some extra corses, and learn about how to repair frames on cars, and body repair... and then slowly but surely, i plan on building a cmpany from the ground up, called "rez boys auto repair"(its gonna be a split partnership, with my homie that i grew up with, and i will hopefuly hire 90% native americans to work in my shop) all the acounting and everything will be done by a close friend of mine...i basicaly have all the know how, on working on cars, and it would seam as though im already running a small shop out of the house, due to the fact, that people will come over, and be like hey billy, ill give you 20 bucks if you put this in my car...(so far, not mater how much labor i do, i only charge 20 bucks...)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lagstronaut

Thanks guys. I've been told multiple times now not to mix business and hobbies, so I guess that's a major peice of advice.

Tokudai --- sounds like you've had quite the business experience. I'd ask you more questions but you say you found your niche fast and at the right time, and that's my problem right now. I want to have a career dealing with music in some capacity but I don't want to deal with the overall bullshit that is the Music Industry (it's a load of crap, trust me). I just really cannot find a way to incorporate music into a self-made business that isn't being done by hundreds of people per city already (magazines, recording studios to name a few). It's killing me, college applications are due in 3 weeks and I have no idea if that is the route to take anymore.

Ericwt --- may I ask what your original business was dealing with? Not specifically if you don't want to answer, but the area you expertised in. Was it something you liked so you started it? Was the market ready for something like this so you took advantage? I'm not sure if I should try to incorporate something I like into my business to make it a passion or just find what the market is looking for right now and get on the gravy train. The problem with the gravy train though is, if it turns out to be a fad and ends, where does that leave me?

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(ok, i know im going to sound like mechanics is my life, and that i do nothing but smoke pot, work on cars, and sit on the internet... but it basicaly is my life)

but dude, auto mechanics, the gravy train, theres no end in the near futcher... i mean, if you own a car from 2000 or above, i want you to walk out their and tell me you can open the hood of that car, and fix anything that gose wrong with it... ive been around cars all of my life, and not even i can do that...theres to much electrical... plus, even with older cars, teens are buying them, and when they break down, they dont know shit about cars... so were do they bring their cars... a shop... ok, your moms driving down the road, and all of a sudden, her car starts making a funny noise, so she drives it home, and asks the man of the house to take a look at it... and opens the hood, and after mumbling about the wires, in new cars, and how crapy this jap car is, for dad ends up kicking it a half a million times, a neabhor calls the cops, and hes arrested for insurance fruad... so your mom brings the car to the closest garge... and they hook a coumputer up to the damn thing... and while thats running, they go out back, smoke a joint and then come back in, and everything wrong with the car, is displayed on a coumputer....then they get to work...

theres always gonna be some kool aid in the pitcher of car mechanics... cause the cars are just getting newer, smaller and to many damn wires for the average home mechanic to fix it...plus, someday, theres all those hybrid things, and bio diesel things comming out...

about the time that the last of the kool aid comes out of the pitcher, is when everyone is driving a hybrid... but come on... no were in the near futcher is that gonna happen, because theres people like me... american slobs, who love our smog producing cars...

(im thinking i may be a giant walking bilbord for car mechincs)

My Business is Treasure Hunting. It was a hobby that turned into a lifestyle.

You could see how I could branch out into other areas. Antiques, Coins, Civil War artifacts, Gold and Silver buying and selling.

It was a passion and something I lived and breathed.

As for finding what the market wants and selling it. There is nothing wrong with this. However you best make yourself an expert in that product because you will not be the only one doing this.

If you find a fad and go with it realize that fads come and go quick. Get in fast, make money and get out before everyone else does. Then use the money to find your next new product. It is risky and not for the faint of heart.

If you go this route you will need to learn and study trends in the market.

Personally, although I have made money with trends and new products I am a believer in "Do what you love and the money will follow"

You are into music? Well I think I can think about 50 different ways to make serious money with music. The question I have to ask you is are you willing to pay the price, to succeed?

You see we can succeed in almost any area if we are willing to pay the price.

Only you can decide that.

Making it on you own is a big step with big risks. There will be no one there cheering you on. It will be you and your dream. Other people will not understand.

Why not go to school and start a business while you are there? If it takes off you can leave.

It is your decision and your life.

You can ask me anything and I will be brutally honest with you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by partyguy420

i dont own one yet... but some day, i plan on leaving mary jane behind for a while, going to school, going to a tech school, called universal technical institute, were i plan on learning about car motors, car transmissions, the interiors of cars, car breaks, and car drive lines... then im going to do some extra corses, and learn about how to repair frames on cars, and body repair... and then slowly but surely, i plan on building a cmpany from the ground up, called "rez boys auto repair"(its gonna be a split partnership, with my homie that i grew up with, and i will hopefuly hire 90% native americans to work in my shop) all the acounting and everything will be done by a close friend of mine...i basicaly have all the know how, on working on cars, and it would seam as though im already running a small shop out of the house, due to the fact, that people will come over, and be like hey billy, ill give you 20 bucks if you put this in my car...(so far, not mater how much labor i do, i only charge 20 bucks...)

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You can make a mint in the auto service industry. If you love doing it I know you will succeed.

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Originally Posted by lagstronaut

I've been told multiple times now not to mix business and hobbies, so I guess that's a major peice of advice.

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I disagree.

Developing a business from your hobby is frequently just a natural progression. I've always been told that if you want to be happy then you must have a job you love doing. So making a business out of your hobby (which you love doing) is better than making a business out of something you would rather not be doing.

I love gardening. I'm trying to start my own nursery business. There's nothing else I would rather be doing with my life, and to not be doing it would make me unhappy.

I don't own my own business- yet though I am working on two that will coincide to my taknig over both at nearly the same time.

One is a skating rink I have been DJ'in at for 7 years now and running parttime.

The other is a heating and air conditioning company that my father own's, which my grandfather owned prior to him.

I am currently in school working on my business degree and trying to pinpoint which real estate school I will be attending this semester as well. Accounting is another area I'm possible pursuing.


An interesting book that opened my eyes to the way money works and how to make money work for you is Robet T. Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

I own a photography business specializing in weddings. I've owned it for about 3 years now. The original owner (and a close friend) of the successful photography business passed away while I was working for him. He owned the business for over 20 years and no one in his family wanted anything to do with the business so all the cameras/camcorders (30 of them), lights, backdrops, and everything else in his studio were given to me so I didn't have to put too much money into the business. I make anywhere from $35,000 - $50,000 per year depending on how many couples I feel like booking. I don't have any employees and it is hard work.

Because I was working for the original owner of the business for 7 years, people (customers and other vendors) in my area knew me quite well (which saved me from spending too much money on advertisement) so I haven't had any problems booking weddings since I took over the business so the money came in immediately.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericwt

You are into music? Well I think I can think about 50 different ways to make serious money with music. The question I have to ask you is are you willing to pay the price, to succeed?

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What kind of ways?? I am in a state of mind now that is almost like panic mode, college applications are due soon like I was saying and I honestly have no direction to look in right now. I am not really interested in starting some CD store if that's what your ideas are like though. I am ideally looking for a business that involves the creation of music. Recording studios are extremely hard to get on with, with 10,000 grads leaving a Recording School every year and only a few hundreds jobs in North America being open. Self-made recording studios make little-to-no money right now with recording software being so accessable and so many people wanting to do that. That was my dream for a while but I realise it is better to identify that I'd be dumb to even try this avenue then take a shot at it and prove that it's nearly impossible.

Few years ago I signed up for a Linux expo that I had to go to for college while stoned. It asked for the name of my business, think I might have gotten a corporate pass somehow.. anyways, I said the name f my company was Chronicmeditation which is an old ganja tune reggae song, then it asked what my job title was, so I entered "The Guy" dunno, sounded important right? "The Guy"

Got my pass in the mail day or so later was so cool,
said chronicmeditation
The Guy

Was funny talking to like SUSE reps having a serious conversation about a technology when they would notice my pass and *laff chronicmeditation*

Since then I have gotten countless small business credit cards with Chonicmeditation printed on em, and other assorted types of mail and free samples.

I intend to own a business someday.
Hopefully an organic cafe or tapas bar with greenhouses on the premises, and try to get a homebrewer to do organic beer too.
But I need some SERIOUS investment cash first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lagstronaut

What kind of ways?? I am in a state of mind now that is almost like panic mode, college applications are due soon like I was saying and I honestly have no direction to look in right now. I am not really interested in starting some CD store if that's what your ideas are like though. I am ideally looking for a business that involves the creation of music. Recording studios are extremely hard to get on with, with 10,000 grads leaving a Recording School every year and only a few hundreds jobs in North America being open. Self-made recording studios make little-to-no money right now with recording software being so accessable and so many people wanting to do that. That was my dream for a while but I realise it is better to identify that I'd be dumb to even try this avenue then take a shot at it and prove that it's nearly impossible.

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In order for me to answer that question I need to know a few things.

Do you want to make your own music or help others make their own. Do you write music or just want to record and mix someone else's? Is it your own material you want to promote? Do you play an instrument or are you a recording tech?

A CD store is not what I had in mind. The life cycle of CD stores is on the decline.

You realize that it usually takes a few years to make serious money in music. There is no instant millions unless you totally luck out. It could happen but do not count on it.

Do you have capital? Do not worry if you don't. Time is capital too, so is effort. Can you pay your bills and cover your expenses for a few years.

Remember in business, like life if we are desperate for something to happen now, we will push it away.

Answer my questions and I can can answer yours.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericwt

In order for me to answer that question I need to know a few things.

Do you want to make your own music or help others make their own. Do you write music or just want to record and mix someone else's? Is it your own material you want to promote? Do you play an instrument or are you a recording tech?

A CD store is not what I had in mind. The life cycle of CD stores is on the decline.

You realize that it usually takes a few years to make serious money in music. There is no instant millions unless you totally luck out. It could happen but do not count on it.

Do you have capital? Do not worry if you don't. Time is capital too, so is effort. Can you pay your bills and cover your expenses for a few years.

Remember in business, like life if we are desperate for something to happen now, we will push it away.

Answer my questions and I can can answer yours.

---

I love to make my own music but if I had to I would still help somebody create their own music. I write my own music but again I wouldn't mind engineering somebody else's. I wouldn't mind promoting my own material but I realise that is too idealistic for today's world, though I would definitely give it a shot. I play guitar and though I'm not a recording tech I could probably find my way around most home-recording software (not professional home-recording software that would need hardware though).

I have no money at the moment but I know my parents said they have some stashed away for my future. Just how much I do not know. Also I will 75% probably be going to the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology if I were accepted. That is $25,000 for one year but is an industry leader in audio schools and provides all you need to know in the field.

Oh and by the way -- "in life, if we are desperate for something to happen now, we will push it away" -- I have never heard that before but it's a quote I've actually taken to heart

my dad owns his own business- sorry cant tell, its his privacy not mine

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lagstronaut

I love to make my own music but if I had to I would still help somebody create their own music. I write my own music but again I wouldn't mind engineering somebody else's. I wouldn't mind promoting my own material but I realise that is too idealistic for today's world, though I would definitely give it a shot. I play guitar and though I'm not a recording tech I could probably find my way around most home-recording software (not professional home-recording software that would need hardware though).

I have no money at the moment but I know my parents said they have some stashed away for my future. Just how much I do not know. Also I will 75% probably be going to the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology if I were accepted. That is $25,000 for one year but is an industry leader in audio schools and provides all you need to know in the field.

Oh and by the way -- "in life, if we are desperate for something to happen now, we will push it away" -- I have never heard that before but it's a quote I've actually taken to heart

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Okay now we have narrowed it down a little. I am assuming you can play guitar well and have something to share with others.

I do not know what kind of music you play. But that does not really matter right now.

1) Teach people how to play guitar. Easy cash here. Do a DVD instruction course or video.

2) Write songs for other people or Recording companies. You know several popular singers and bands do not write their own stuff.

Go to Amazon.com and search for How to Write a Hit Song. Read the reviews and pay attention to How to Write a Hit Song and Sell It
by Tommy Boyce. But look at other titles. You can sell songs to companies by mail or over the Internet.

3) Write music or songs for motion pictures. Place an add in the Trade Papers and offer to write good music for cheap. Offer to customize your songs to their Movies. If one independent film makes it big and you have a song on their soundtrack you will have offers flowing in.

4) Find a company or product that you love and write a song about it. Send it to the company. If they use it in a commercial you will get a nice check.

5) Write you own music. Post it on Myspace. Make a video and place it on Youtube, google,yahoo, ect.

6) Start a band write music and tour. Even unknown bands can make a good living.

7) Become a band or event promoter in your area.

8) Write music for video games.

This is just a start. As I do not know you or what talent that you might have.

I know a Piano player that all he does is play the piano at a department store. He makes over $60,000 a year. It is an upscale department store, but you get the idea.

These basic ideas do not require a big investment. But they involve your creative ideas and the ability to play guitar.

I bet there are even more ideas. I had to eliminate other ideas because of investment or technical training. Also Music is general and we are talking playing guitar and songwriting.

If you have computer skills there are even more opportunities.

There are so many ways to make money and there is a fortune for anyone who is willing to pay the price.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericwt

Okay now we have narrowed it down a little. I am assuming you can play guitar well and have something to share with others.

I do not know what kind of music you play. But that does not really matter right now.

1) Teach people how to play guitar. Easy cash here. Do a DVD instruction course or video.

Good suggestion but not really enough to pay any bills

2) Write songs for other people or Recording companies. You know several popular singers and bands do not write their own stuff.

Go to Amazon.com and search for How to Write a Hit Song. Read the reviews and pay attention to How to Write a Hit Song and Sell It
by Tommy Boyce. But look at other titles. You can sell songs to companies by mail or over the Internet.

I write creative songs that don't follow formulas and quite frankly I couldn't bring myself to stunt my creativity and commercialize myself for the sake of a paycheck. Also I don't think I'd be willing to part with my own songs in favour of someone else -- they come from my heart and if I saw some dick make millions learning a song in 5 minutes that took me a week to write, I would be pissed.

3) Write music or songs for motion pictures. Place an add in the Trade Papers and offer to write good music for cheap. Offer to customize your songs to their Movies. If one independent film makes it big and you have a song on their soundtrack you will have offers flowing in.

Movies tend to use orchestrated music (something I can't do) or hit music but that's also a pretty decent idea. Small time movies won't even pay you for your songs often times, the band considers it promotion enough just to be included in the film

4) Find a company or product that you love and write a song about it. Send it to the company. If they use it in a commercial you will get a nice check.

Yeah or rewrite a couple lines of it and claim they've never heard of me

5) Write you own music. Post it on Myspace. Make a video and place it on Youtube, google,yahoo, ect.

I was thinking of that but that's not really going to make me any money at all. Maybe good word of mouth, but on international websites like that most of the people that like my songs would be people too far away to play to

6) Start a band write music and tour. Even unknown bands can make a good living.

It takes an unbelievable local fanbase to have an opportunity to tour. That or above-average connections and a decent label

7) Become a band or event promoter in your area.

I don't know what that even is to be honest. I have the general idea but it's kind of a vague job to be getting into IMO

8) Write music for video games.

Most video games either want chart-topping music, orchestrated music, or full-out rap or old school punk-rock music in their games. Things I do not specialize in unfortunately

This is just a start. As I do not know you or what talent that you might have.

I have a decent talent level and I've been playing for about 5 years now

I know a Piano player that all he does is play the piano at a department store. He makes over $60,000 a year. It is an upscale department store, but you get the idea.


These basic ideas do not require a big investment. But they involve your creative ideas and the ability to play guitar.

IMO those are either not really careers (more like freelance work that takes more time than money earned) or do require big investments. Touring? Gigging equipment alone is thousands of dollars not to mention being a tight band, playing shit venues for years, and having to blow alot more money on professional sounding demos to send out in a few circulations. No way I get gigs in out of town without at least 1 demo CD circulating. I am a decent home-recorder but I think even a small demo CD is over my head right now. My recordings are way too hissy at the moment

I bet there are even more ideas. I had to eliminate other ideas because of investment or technical training. Also Music is general and we are talking playing guitar and songwriting.

I'd like to know your investment ideas and technical training ideas. Investment money can be dealt with if the idea is good enough and technical training is something I am looking towards anyway

If you have computer skills there are even more opportunities.

There are so many ways to make money and there is a fortune for anyone who is willing to pay the price.

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Thanks for the help so far

lagstronaut:

These were just ideas. Ultimately you have to decide for yourself what you want. Find your love in life and follow that.

All business is freelancing. There is never any guaranteed income. In a business you determine if you fail or succeed.

Right now the future of music is online. You need to learn digital recording. With my PC right now I can record anything digitally with no hiss and burn it to a CD with crystal clear sound.

In music it is all about exposure. The more people who hear your music the more chance they will buy it. It is that simple.

Sounds like you need to figure out what you want to do and just go do it. If you need the training, get it.

Regardless of what you do you will have to pay your dues. If you love your music and want to share it with others you will do what it takes.

I understand my businesses and can show people how to sell ideas, services, and products. But it is up to you to decide what you want to do with your life.

I am not a musician. But if I were I would study the industry and the trade publications and then decide what the market wanted. Then I would provide it.

Or I would go to school, learn the trade and then whore myself out to the industry.

Either you decide or someone else does. It is simple really, kind of like life.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericwt

lagstronaut:

These were just ideas. Ultimately you have to decide for yourself what you want. Find your love in life and follow that.

All business is freelancing. There is never any guaranteed income. In a business you determine if you fail or succeed.

Right now the future of music is online. You need to learn digital recording. With my PC right now I can record anything digitally with no hiss and burn it to a CD with crystal clear sound.

In music it is all about exposure. The more people who hear your music the more chance they will buy it. It is that simple.

Sounds like you need to figure out what you want to do and just go do it. If you need the training, get it.

Regardless of what you do you will have to pay your dues. If you love your music and want to share it with others you will do what it takes.

I understand my businesses and can show people how to sell ideas, services, and products. But it is up to you to decide what you want to do with your life.

I am not a musician. But if I were I would study the industry and the trade publications and then decide what the market wanted. Then I would provide it.

Or I would go to school, learn the trade and then whore myself out to the industry.

Either you decide or someone else does. It is simple really, kind of like life.

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Thanks for the advice over the past couple days, Eric


I know you THINK you can record digitally and have no hiss with "crystal clear" sound but trust me -- you cannot. I record digitally as well and if either of us were to achieve crystal clear sound it would be because somebody snuck into our house at night and engineered+mastered the tracks himself. Unless you have training or experience with mic placement, and have quality mics, as well as top-notch amplifiers and perfect equalization, there will be dull noise going on. You may not be able to hear it on your computer speakers but listen through a Studio Monitor and you'll have no doubt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericwt

You can make a mint in the auto service industry. If you love doing it I know you will succeed.

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ohh no shit i can succeed... cars are my life... and all of the shops around here charges 40 dollars an hour... and then down the highway, theres a chevy dealership, that charges 90 fucking dollars an hours... and the day i start looking for a place to rent for my garge, im going to go the the richest part of tacoma washington, and set up shop charging around 120, and im going to spechilze is chevys, VWs, and putting together rice burners for everyone... and it will some day be passed down to my childeren...(the day i die, cause im gonna work in that shop till the day i die, and hopefuly, i will die in the shop.... then to be barried, im going to buy like 3 or 4 consecutive graves, and have then burry me in my chevllee... in full racing suit... with a set of screew drivers, pliers, sockets... wrenches... and maybe a welder... and a pund of pot, and a bong in the shape of a skull with about 30 bic lighters... ahh dreams... dreams... dreams... THAT WILL BECOME LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!! AND MY LIFE AT THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I have been self employed now since 2004.

Never looked back

It is very hard work, I started with nothing I didn't have any loans or grants and just built it up the hard way through doing a decent job and getting referred to new clients.

What some people fail to realise is that even with a lot of hard work and dedication a business can still fail (and most likely will) so you need a solid plan.

I am a web designer my start up costs were £0 and I am self taught but now specialise in only certain areas of design. In 1 year I made a steady profit - so pretty much from day 1.

The toughest thing was building a portfolio - it can be difficult to convince a company to use you when you have little to back up what you say! thankfully I worked with the right people and didn't lower my standards.

This is the best bit of this thread IMHO :
2. Find a trustworthy partner or associate interested in the same goals early, preferably one who has expertise in things you don't, and vice versa.

me and a friend tried to open up our own comic shop, but it didnt go ahead, we are just too inexperienced in business despite a wealth of knowledge about comics, also we didnt have the money and couldnt see the business doing too well in our town, despite the large fanbase here we still wouldnt make enough cash to cover all the expences including stock and our own "wage".

but we know more about business now than we did when we started, so maybe if i moved i might give it another shot, and have my friend handle online sales as he wouldnt be moving anytime soon

i have a question.
my friend wants to open up his own hookah bar/headshop
what do you think the whole starting up costs would be??
he has 19 grand, would that be enough??? we want to get a small lot, big enough to have a headshop in it with a hookah bar type shit goin on.. put some nice tvs up, get the place hella chilled out lookin, get some nice custom pieces etc..

I have owned my own business for about 4 years now. I can say that I really couldn't imagine working for anyone else ever again. The freedom that it gives me in my life is great. Plus the pay is good as well. It took me about 6 months to really be able to consistantly make good cashflow.

Orginal poster. Apply for college now, and if you don't want, just don't go. I did that a while back, and although i'm in school now. Even if you end up in school a small break might do you good, and help you grow and expand as a person. i know a lot of 26 year old kids in school, so i always drop this advice when i can.