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I'm tired of working for someone else.

Posted on 10/10/13 at 2:40 pm
Posted by lsaltee
poppin a tent, roastin marshmellows
Member since Sep 2007
3634 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 2:40 pm
I'm tired of helping someone else make lots of money. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY appreciative of my job as it pays the bills. My boss is pretty good and my perks are nice. But every year when my boss leaves on his large boat to spend 3 months in the Bahamas, I die a little.

I don't want to be rich to buy things. I want to change my family tree. I want to break the cycle of working for someone else. My dad is in his 60's and is a great man but has no outlook on retirement anytime soon. I don't want to be him. I don't want to be in my 60's as a tire salesman still working for someone else.

Where do I start? What do I look for? I've been scouring craigslists' business section and have come across a few businesses for sale but I have no capitol, no experience in valuing a business and I'm too chicken to make the jump.

Business owners how did you do it? what motivated you? Was it a hobby? A skill? Where did you get your money to start? How many times did you fail?

I'm married with a child. Mortgage and a car note that need to be paid.

I buy and sell things for some spare cash every now and then and I have flipped a few houses for small profits but it seems like the people with the most security in their future are my boss and the owners of our subcontractors. (i work for a small home builder). I can't go out and start a construction company because I have a non-compete signed with my current company. I know there are ways around it but I find that very unethical as my boss has been great to me. Or do I lack that killer instinct that business owners need to succeed?
Posted by jmtigers
1826.71 miles from USC
Member since Sep 2003
4973 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 2:45 pm to
What about becoming one of these subs you are talking about. Maybe one of the subs could be doing a better job for your boss. I have personally seen construction co's start that way.
This post was edited on 10/10/13 at 2:45 pm
Posted by lsu711
Member since Sep 2003
13231 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 2:48 pm to
A manager works for his employees. A salesman works for his customers. A CEO works for his board.
Posted by I Love Bama
Alabama
Member since Nov 2007
37770 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 2:54 pm to
quote:

I'm too chicken to make the jump.


This prettt much sums it up. Your boss probably has balls.

You don't get ahead in life playing safe
Posted by MFCEO
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Jul 2013
40 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 3:58 pm to
I am in the beginning stages right now of getting started with a business. I was able to find something in my day job, more or less, a better process to do something that I believe would benefit the masses. I am trying to take that and basically make a business out of it. There is no guarantee that any of this will work but the thought of not trying it and wondering the rest of my life what would have been killed me so I am just making the jump.



Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
120065 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 6:45 pm to
quote:

I want to change my family tree.


Very noble.

I have no good advice for you other than to save money so you have some buffer it you do make the leap. Most small business fail, or struggle, so be sure you are doing something you can at least make a decent living doing.
It's really too late for me, but I have paid off my house and cars and am saving money so that I can retire early, and then hopefully find something I want to do to make a little money and then it might be fun. I've been in the workforce for 31 years now and I need about 6 more to get where my goal is.
Good luck to you!
Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 7:01 pm to
You're always working for someone. If you're the owner you're working twice as hard, minimum.
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27693 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 7:17 pm to
Tomorrow is my last day at my current job. Start a new one Monday which puts me in a position to go out on my own in two years.

I'm very similar to you. My Dad has a really good job and just hit 35 years with his company. He's 56 and still gets up 5 days a week and drives into BR traffic and is there til 5 on Friday. I want the freedom moreso than the wealth (although that's a nice perk).
Posted by dreaux
baton rouge
Member since Oct 2006
40881 posts
Posted on 10/10/13 at 9:45 pm to
If you are licensed do your own work on the side. You can charge less and make a lot more. Just stay way of his clientele.
Posted by poule deau
Member since Jan 2009
1408 posts
Posted on 10/11/13 at 9:08 am to
Believe me when I say that owning your own business is not the utopia some make it out to be. Especially if it is labor intensive.

A large portion of the general workforce sucks and decent, dependable employees are few and far between.

When you are an employee, you answer to the boss.

when you are the owner, you answer to the bank and/or business partners, you answer to the customer, and you answer to the employee. Your business depends heavily on these groups and they know it. And all can be very demanding.

Employees have a lot of options that business owners don't. Most small and medium business owners are married to the job. You can never get away from it.

Sounds like you already have a decent gig working. Does your boss have a succession plan for the business? Maybe he would be interested in cutting you in. You might be surprised at what he has to say.

Posted by theoldwiseone33
University of Louisiana
Member since May 2012
493 posts
Posted on 10/14/13 at 1:47 pm to
Become a real estate agent, no overhead and great income
Posted by Cracker
in a box
Member since Nov 2009
17917 posts
Posted on 10/15/13 at 12:23 am to
Mow lawns in the evening you can make 60 bucks an hour fig 3 hrs a day 5 days a week 900. Extra a week. automating billing be professional you speak English thats +1 get business up running then hire labor at 12-15 an hour your still taking in 675 a week. If you keep the 3 hr a day but u get an employee or 2 working 10 hours a day grossing 3000k a week. the lawn care business is a 70 billion dollar business annually that gets you cash flowing, equipment is not bad just take care of it & it will last it's something to think about. Plus the deductions are great
Posted by Tigerholic
Member since Sep 2006
2245 posts
Posted on 10/15/13 at 7:29 am to
What's the age difference between you and your boss. Ever thought of buying him out? If the age difference makes sense he will want to retire and get $ out of his company and what better way than to sell to an employee who may already know how to run it.
Posted by ynlvr
Rocket City
Member since Feb 2009
4617 posts
Posted on 12/6/13 at 10:23 am to
Worked for others for many years. Enjoyed it until I didn't. Had enough money put away to hold me a couple years. Bought a service business, built it up, sold it. Married that business. Worked 360/365 days the first year. Damn near killed me but nearly doubled the business in 2 years, sold it.

Glad I did it but only because I am an adrenaline junkie. I liked the thrill and challenge. Left very lucrative job and career that would have set me up just fine. But I did enjoy "firing" obnoxious customers in my own business.
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