What prompted you to move out of the comfort zone?
Discussion
I think you'll find quite a few people weren't in a comfort zone when they started up; I started my business when I was 17 at school. Provided pocket money for the first few years, then I dropped out of Uni to do it full time.
Lots of my friends have asked for advice on starting a business. As others have said, it's much, much harder when you're entrenched with a decent job, mortgage, dependents etc. So hats off to all that have broken out of that position and made self-employment work. I had it relatively easy (although it's been bloody hard) that I started the business when I didn't have any career/comitments.
Lots of my friends have asked for advice on starting a business. As others have said, it's much, much harder when you're entrenched with a decent job, mortgage, dependents etc. So hats off to all that have broken out of that position and made self-employment work. I had it relatively easy (although it's been bloody hard) that I started the business when I didn't have any career/comitments.
Some good stuff posted here.
I'm at that jump stage, have a running photography Co. and looking at mixing this with 3D work next year, I'm looking at making the £2000 a day rather than my boss....
BUT
3 kids/Big BIG mortgage and a decent wage makes you think twice......
But you know, I'm thinking F**kit I can always get a day job again.... :-)
I'm at that jump stage, have a running photography Co. and looking at mixing this with 3D work next year, I'm looking at making the £2000 a day rather than my boss....
BUT
3 kids/Big BIG mortgage and a decent wage makes you think twice......
But you know, I'm thinking F**kit I can always get a day job again.... :-)
Some really interesting stuff here, thanks all, keep it coming!
I've been out of uni a year and work for a great company where there is the potential to do very well. For me however, the idea that i'll always have a maximum of 30 days holiday and need to do X Y Z terrifies me. I'm quite spontaneous and that is stifled by the real world.
I have lots of ideas that i want to pursue, but to do so, i would have to give up my job and take the plunge, so it's interesting to see what prompted others of you to do just that.
I've been out of uni a year and work for a great company where there is the potential to do very well. For me however, the idea that i'll always have a maximum of 30 days holiday and need to do X Y Z terrifies me. I'm quite spontaneous and that is stifled by the real world.
I have lots of ideas that i want to pursue, but to do so, i would have to give up my job and take the plunge, so it's interesting to see what prompted others of you to do just that.
johnnywb said:
...For me however, the idea that i'll always have a maximum of 30 days holiday and need to do X Y Z terrifies me....
In all seriousness, then if that is the case starting a new company is not for you!When I started my company I had thirty days a year off IN TOTAL!
Similarly, then the need for completing accounting requirements for Companies House, Corporation Tax, PAYE, National Insurance and so on and so forth may send you ininto convulsions!
Seriously, if you start your own business for it to work you will need to work much harder, have much more responsibility, have much more personal and financial risk and of course no guarantee at the end of the year you will have even earnt enough for you to be paid a salary.
If that is for you, then jump in. The potential rewards are great - but they are at great cost too.
ginettag27 said:
SuperKartRacer said:
3 kids/Big BIG mortgage and a decent wage makes you think twice......
But you know, I'm thinking F**kit I can always get a day job again.... :-)
So don't burn any bridges either!! Just in case.But you know, I'm thinking F**kit I can always get a day job again.... :-)
Edited by ginettag27 on Wednesday 5th December 13:17
Thus, lets say for example it would cost £20k for a years breathing space you are risking that against the possibilty of a complete change of lifestyle and career. Also, the knowledge that even if it doesnt work out at least you can look back in 20 years time with no regrets!
SuperKartRacer said:
Golfman said:
Muppets...
And forgot to say I'm high up in the largest print/graphics group in the uk we turnover half billion a year so not an easy oneChimp :-)
Edited by SuperKartRacer on Wednesday 5th December 21:05
what do you print by the way?PetrolTed said:
Golfman said:
Muppets...
Care to explain?Golfman said:
PetrolTed said:
Golfman said:
Muppets...
Care to explain? Looked like a really random reply until you added that bit I'm just turned 26 and recently set up and starting trading with my own publishing company. I was sick and tired of putting in effort and making my old boss more money, when i wasn't appreciated by the company at all. Its been hard to set up, LOTS of paperwork and boring accounts stuff, but its fun learning about the processes and seeing it grow.
It is definitely the best decision i've ever made - i only started trading at the beginning of November, and it looks like i'm going to be earning far more than i was at the old company (which at the time i thought was good wage anyway), plus i have more time to myself to peruse Piston Heads!
You've just got to remember that if you're slack and don't work it's only you that its going to affect. I figure that a bit of hard work now will mean a better life in the future. I'm trying not to get carried away and keep counting the money, rather just get my head down and graft so that by early next year i can take on some more staff and let it run itself.
I say go for it! If it doesn't work out its not like you died or anything, you can just try again or go back to being employed.
I'd prefer to regret something i've had a go at than to wonder 'what if?'
It is definitely the best decision i've ever made - i only started trading at the beginning of November, and it looks like i'm going to be earning far more than i was at the old company (which at the time i thought was good wage anyway), plus i have more time to myself to peruse Piston Heads!
You've just got to remember that if you're slack and don't work it's only you that its going to affect. I figure that a bit of hard work now will mean a better life in the future. I'm trying not to get carried away and keep counting the money, rather just get my head down and graft so that by early next year i can take on some more staff and let it run itself.
I say go for it! If it doesn't work out its not like you died or anything, you can just try again or go back to being employed.
I'd prefer to regret something i've had a go at than to wonder 'what if?'
I left uni to be confronted with every job advert in my field stating 3 years experience as a necessity - I mean EVERY advert. Tried a few applications anyway but they all got knocked back becuase of lack of experience.
Decided to set up a company so after 3 years I could claim to have 3 years experience just to get an interview, with the intention to see what i could make of it in the three years.
Still here six and a half years later having never had a proper job outside of my own business. I think that technicaly makes me unemployable so I'm not likely to change my mind any time soon!
Decided to set up a company so after 3 years I could claim to have 3 years experience just to get an interview, with the intention to see what i could make of it in the three years.
Still here six and a half years later having never had a proper job outside of my own business. I think that technicaly makes me unemployable so I'm not likely to change my mind any time soon!
SystemParanoia said:
im ready to start my own venture. the only thing stopping me is a complete lack of capital, and the inability to raise any ( banks, cc's, even loan sharks are turning me down )
dont know where im gonna get £10k from
Radical suggestion in this day and age, but why not save it up?dont know where im gonna get £10k from
PetrolTed said:
SystemParanoia said:
im ready to start my own venture. the only thing stopping me is a complete lack of capital, and the inability to raise any ( banks, cc's, even loan sharks are turning me down )
dont know where im gonna get £10k from
Radical suggestion in this day and age, but why not save it up?dont know where im gonna get £10k from
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