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I started my own business

Posted by kevinnem 10 years, 4 months ago to Business
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Well, I pulled the trigger, I started my own business. I am a surveyor, and do the surveys you would do if you where buying/selling a house.

I have done my first job, $535.00 but it was like 2 days of work, tons of driving and then I have to turn over like 300 to someone else for doing the drafting as a rush project. I am okay with that because he saved my butt, so good for him and me.

There are clearly some frustrations and problems I have to work out, but I have that first step (almost?) behind me. I am looking forward more then looking back.

My biggest concern is my ability to make my a living at doing this. Time will tell. Money is tight, stress is high.

Cheers.


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  • Posted by iroseland 10 years, 4 months ago
    Congrats! It is always nice to see news like this. People talk about the going on strike part. But, its the doing something for yourself part that I am more interested in. Granted, going on strike will eventually be doing something for yourself. In the meantime its nice to see that people are taking the plunge. I will bee doing my LLC paperwork in a few months ( I have a lot of code to write yet. ) In the meantime a buddy of mine just announced his fruit wine company.
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  • Posted by exindigo 10 years, 4 months ago
    Welcome to the business world. Outside of gummint regulations, the water's fine. I have been in business for many years. I wish I could say one did it all but that's just not the way it happened. Some have been successful and some have failed. But every time I tried, I learned. It's OK to make mistakes but keep doing it. R. Buckminster Fuller was a failure before he found success. He bought an insurance policy for his family and was going to kill himself by jumping off a bridge. While he was standing on the bridge he gave himself one last chance to survive. If he couldn't find something to do or think his way out of his dilemma, he was going to jump. He went on to invent the geodesic dome, the Concept of Synergy and developed a whole line of thinking called Dymaxion. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the modern age. Every time he found himself in trouble, he would assume his metaphorical "Think or Jump" mental position just like he did on the bridge and soon an answer would emerge that would solve the problem. When you find your back against the wall, which you will in business, try to remember this. When all around you seems like disaster, this idea may help. You never know. But stick to it and you will find your market.
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  • Posted by 10 years, 3 months ago
    well it has been a few weeks, I have had some success. I was able to get 4 jobs, and might have a fith . certainly not enough to live off, but a step in the right direction.

    I am finding it hader then I thought, mostly because of people issues. some of the people I was going to use, aren't able to help me now.

    Oddly, the company that I parted ways with (regeratbly on what I felt was very bad terms) called me yesterday to talk about contracting for them.....

    anyway , I am goign to try to find a way to keep my own company going even, if I end up working for someoen else. We will see though.

    Kev.
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    • Posted by $ stargeezer 10 years, 3 months ago
      Choosing your contracts and associations with top notch people might be the hardest in these early days of your journey. Be certain of their character as you are of yours. A bad choice in these early days might leave you hanging with contracts to fill that someone else got paid for or worse yet, you might get hauled into court because somebody didn't do their job right and you have to explain (and defend) your part of a job you got paid a pittance for.

      Standing on a solid foundation of quality in every aspect of you business will set you apart from the rest.
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  • Posted by $ Snezzy 10 years, 4 months ago
    I have found the key to success in business is to make sure that customers have a reason to do business with me, rather than with someone else.
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  • Posted by Owlsrayne 10 years, 3 months ago
    My wife and I are starting up an LLC. We both are in the midst of buying equipment, then doing some prototypes. But I don't see us marketing until we have everything to run and Legal Zoom is finished with all our paper work. We made it our choice to survive. We don't have Galt's technology but just maybe we'll come up with something.
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  • Posted by $ Susanne 10 years, 4 months ago
    Of course Money is tight... it's a new business! If you have faith in yourself and your product, and give people real value for their real money, you will be OK. You may even become wealthy beyond your wildist imagination. Sometimes having to pull the occasional all nighter or a string of 18 hour days to meet deadline sucks, but when you look at what you accomplish, there's NOTHING like being able to say, with pride in your voice (and dollars in the fist)...
    "I did THAT!"

    Soooo.... its been 3 weeks - any revelations? Success stories? Enquiting enterpreneuers want to know!!!
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  • Posted by airfredd22 10 years, 4 months ago
    Allow me to add my congratulations as well. Most people never "pulled the trigger."

    It's true that you will be working long hours for little pay, but you will also learn your value. Eventually you will make more money and will find success. You've taken the first careful step and each day you will learn more about being in business.

    As one comment stated about incorporating, this is very important as it is the cheapest insurance against lawsuits you can buy. It will protect you personal assets against any judgement that may come your way in our sue happy society.

    I suggest that you get in touch with theincorporationcompany@yahoo.com for inexpensive help.

    Fred Speckmann
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  • Posted by Karenena 10 years, 4 months ago
    Congrats, Kevin. The best advice I can give someone in business is: 1) Be EASY to do business with. 2) Spend your time and energy on your referral sources.
    Best of Luck!!!
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  • Posted by greyranger 10 years, 4 months ago
    Welcome aboard! As a business owner for over 20 years, just let me remind you of something important. No matter what the looters and moochers tell you, you DID build that! Best of luck.
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  • Posted by tozierpatriot 10 years, 4 months ago
    Congrats kevinem. My wife started a business selling body wraps just under a year ago and it has been slow growing, but growing nonetheless! If you have something people want, then all you have to do is deliver what you promise. Keep up the good work and good things will happen.
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  • Posted by Lenareta 10 years, 4 months ago
    Don't let others tell you that you can't make it. Keep your words positive. Say what you want, not what you don't want, or what you see. God Bless you on your adventure
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  • Posted by $ guinness222 10 years, 4 months ago
    Welcome to the Gulch!!
    I'm 69 years old and discovered when I was 26 years old that MY business is, as the credit card commercials say is "PRICELESS"!! It's not the profit, (ask my wife and kids who ateCheerios for supper and got used to setting the thermostat to 50 degrees in Maine in the winter,...but I am very proud to say they are all totally independant, and while I keep telling them to read Ayn Rand, they say "I don't need to Dad, you did and I want to be like you."
    Thats all three of them!!
    Navy Bravo 22245
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  • Posted by Roadpilgrim 10 years, 4 months ago
    Congrats; just remember, you now work for the toughest, most driven boss that you've ever met! He will have you up earlier, and he will make you work later. He is dedicated to your success. I like people like that!
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  • Posted by LITTLERED1977 10 years, 4 months ago
    Just remember, if business was easy, everybody would be in business. Haven't read through the other comments so it's possible that you have already been told this. I have had my own mom and pop type business since 1978 and wouldn't trade the experience for any other type of life. Work hard, work smart, work often, and you'll survive.
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  • Posted by INOV8TN 10 years, 4 months ago
    Consider the $535-$300 job good advertising and a learning experience.

    You'll learn less from your mistakes as time goes on.

    Errors and Omissions insurance might be useful.

    Same with a drafting course. I found that being a 'one stop shop' was pretty cool and you can cash in on the rush jobs.

    Good luck and have fun.
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  • Posted by betteleal 10 years, 4 months ago
    Good for you, takes guts to start a new business in this economy. I am a Realtor, so have lots of respect for what you do. Yes, you might want to raise your price a little bit. Good luck to you.. Bette
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