- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Folks who left their employment to pursue their own company/self employment .....
Posted on 5/9/23 at 8:56 pm
Posted on 5/9/23 at 8:56 pm
What was the deciding factor to make you take that jump?
29
Posted on 5/9/23 at 9:02 pm to HailToTheChiz
I’m 50 and wish I would have done it before I had kids, became the sole bread winner etc etc. I’m tired and no longer have any fire as I’m tired of working for someone else even though I’m well paid, moved up the ladder etc etc. Zero motivation.
Whereas had I started my own company I would now be at the point of having a management team or whatnot in place and be in a position to start looking at my exit strategy.
I’d say list out the pro’s, list out the cons and make a decision. If you don’t have any responsibilities then jump asap and do it. Worse case in a year you can go back to the public sector as a W2 employee again.
As the saying goes, stop thinking about everything that could go wrong and start thinking about all the things that could go right.
Whereas had I started my own company I would now be at the point of having a management team or whatnot in place and be in a position to start looking at my exit strategy.
I’d say list out the pro’s, list out the cons and make a decision. If you don’t have any responsibilities then jump asap and do it. Worse case in a year you can go back to the public sector as a W2 employee again.
As the saying goes, stop thinking about everything that could go wrong and start thinking about all the things that could go right.
Posted on 5/9/23 at 9:13 pm to HailToTheChiz
Traffic got me to eventually bite the bullet.
Failure got me to swallow my pride and work for the man again.
The experience got me the best and highest-paying job I’ve ever had in my life. In the end, it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.
Failure got me to swallow my pride and work for the man again.
The experience got me the best and highest-paying job I’ve ever had in my life. In the end, it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.
Posted on 5/9/23 at 9:36 pm to HailToTheChiz
My oldest kid was in 8th grade and I was after more time. I didn’t care about money, it was about time and the money followed.
Posted on 5/9/23 at 9:46 pm to HailToTheChiz
quote:When my boss asked what my dating plan was and I told her I wanted kids. She said she couldn't have kids and I asked why that mattered. I was let go the following Monday.
What was the deciding factor to make you take that jump?
To hell with the W2 life. I'll take the K-1 life any day
Posted on 5/9/23 at 10:28 pm to HailToTheChiz
I got tired of depending on somebody else for my living.
Posted on 5/9/23 at 11:54 pm to HailToTheChiz
The company I was working for was becoming more dysfunctional every day. I went to some of my key customers and asked them if they would buy from me if I started my own company. It all worked out.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 5:36 am to HailToTheChiz
Wife’s self employed business exploded and she needed help with the administrative side. I was also getting burned out with the stress and demands of my career in the offshore oil industry and was looking for ways out. Although scary at the time to leave it, it was the best decision I ever made and life is much better now.
Not having to worry anymore about being fired, laid off, injured, or killed was the highlight of the decision.
Not having to worry anymore about being fired, laid off, injured, or killed was the highlight of the decision.
This post was edited on 5/10/23 at 5:38 am
Posted on 5/10/23 at 7:13 am to HailToTheChiz
Well I am in this boat at the moment. Employer was having cash flow issues and our last pay check bounced. He then asks me to take some time off till work picks back up so basically still have a job so can’t draw unemployment. Been home since Friday and am busy laying the ground work to start my own fabrication shop. Tired of sitting behind a desk all day. Wife has a good job and while one income is gonna suck for a while this is the pushed off a Cliff moment to make something happen or else get another desk job and the fab shop remains a pipe dream.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 7:40 am to HailToTheChiz
I believed I would succeed.
The ignorance and inefficiency of the workplace proved I was ready.
The ignorance and inefficiency of the workplace proved I was ready.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 7:52 am to HailToTheChiz
I didn’t know I would succeed in opening my own insurance agency. The only thing that gave me solace was the fact that I had worked in the field for roughly 5 years, met other owners, and had found myself to be harder working and more forward thinking than most of the industry.
For three years, I struggled. Worked nights and weekends at local bars/restaurants to make ends meet. Depended on my significant others teacher salary to provide.
After three years, finally figured out my stride, brand, biz model, clientele, etc.
Just celebrated 7 years, and more doors have been opened for me professionally and personally than I could ever have dreamed of.
My advice: take the leap. Make a sacrifice. Work hard. Be honest. Success is only a couple steps away.
For three years, I struggled. Worked nights and weekends at local bars/restaurants to make ends meet. Depended on my significant others teacher salary to provide.
After three years, finally figured out my stride, brand, biz model, clientele, etc.
Just celebrated 7 years, and more doors have been opened for me professionally and personally than I could ever have dreamed of.
My advice: take the leap. Make a sacrifice. Work hard. Be honest. Success is only a couple steps away.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 8:12 am to HailToTheChiz
Best decision I ever made. I got tired of asking for more work and I was the one doing all of the work, getting new clients, etc so figured why not do it all for myself instead of someone else.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 8:23 am to HailToTheChiz
My story is a little unique. Health issues with my father brought me back into the family business that I had sworn off for so many years. It's all been for the best, but the first few years were very tough. It's still tough, but I have so much more freedom in life than I had when I was working for someone. More money helps, too. Sure, some days suck, but most days are awesome.
One thing I wish someone had told me when I started: Find a group of other entrepreneurs you can confide in. You will often feel alone on your journey, and it can be emotionally taxing. It is nice to talk to people who go through the same thing.
One thing I wish someone had told me when I started: Find a group of other entrepreneurs you can confide in. You will often feel alone on your journey, and it can be emotionally taxing. It is nice to talk to people who go through the same thing.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 8:30 am to HailToTheChiz
I did it back in 2002 at the age of 29. I was sales manager for a small company that was about to be bought out by a French company that specialized in a packaging component for wine. That wasn’t my background and I didn’t care very much for the guy that was buying us. So, I came home and told my wife I was going to give it a go on my own and if it didn’t work out, I could easily go get another job within my industry. 21 years and still going strong.
This post was edited on 5/10/23 at 8:34 am
Posted on 5/10/23 at 10:53 am to auwaterfowler
I want to make the jump. Need to make sure I have someone who will buy from me first
Posted on 5/10/23 at 11:23 am to HailToTheChiz
I own a government contracting company unrelated to my work experience as a commercial real estate appraiser.
It’s been the best decision I ever made in terms of the money I make and the amount of free time I have.
A thought exercise I do weekly is have conversations with my 15 year old self and 80 year old self.
I know this sounds silly but it’s been life changing for me.
It’s been the best decision I ever made in terms of the money I make and the amount of free time I have.
A thought exercise I do weekly is have conversations with my 15 year old self and 80 year old self.
I know this sounds silly but it’s been life changing for me.
This post was edited on 5/10/23 at 11:24 am
Posted on 5/10/23 at 11:58 am to HailToTheChiz
Best thread I’ve read on here in a while! Great responses by everyone. I too am ready to take the leap, away from the daily grind working in the oil field 7 days a week. Yes I make a great living, but with two children and a wife, at this point I just want time. And to everyone who shared their experiences, thanks for the motivation!
Posted on 5/10/23 at 1:12 pm to BayouBengals21
quote:
A thought exercise I do weekly is have conversations with my 15 year old self and 80 year old self.
Curios on this - do you have a format or keep any kind of journal for ideas, etc. Just trying to see what your goal is by doing this. Very good idea and intriguing to me as I continue aging up the ladder.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 1:21 pm to Doctor Strangelove
quote:
The company I was working for was becoming more dysfunctional every day.
This is my company now. I can't believe we are still in business.
But, I'm only a year or so away from retirement, and am just going to ride it out.
I wish 25 years ago I had bought 100 acres and started a farm.
Posted on 5/10/23 at 1:25 pm to Im4datigers
quote:
Curios on this - do you have a format or keep any kind of journal for ideas, etc. Just trying to see what your goal is by doing this. Very good idea and intriguing to me as I continue aging up the ladder.
No format per say (and this feels so weird writing out).
But I talk to my 15 year old self and ask him if I am making him proud. At 15, I wanted to be rich, successful, sleep with a lot of girls (remember, 15), travel a lot and just do a bunch of cool shite.
What did I do this week that makes him proud of who I am at 40? He wants me to hit on the cute girl at the cafe, go on a challenging hike, try and make some new friends.
Conversations with my 80 year old self are completely different.
Did I spend enough time with my family this week? What did I do physically to give 80 year old ILB great health? Did I eat with him in mind? Did I conduct myself in a way he would be proud of? Did I treat everyone with respect? Am I putting my family in a position of being successful and being a proper role model?
I could go deeper into this but this is the basics.
These are real conversations with note taking and are often very emotional.
ETA: In context of the OP, my 15 year old self would want me to go for it! Take the risk and start my own business. My 80 year old self would be very proud of what I have built and the level of success achieved.
OP - I would imagine your 15 year old self and 80 year old self want the same for you.
This post was edited on 5/10/23 at 1:31 pm
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News