Self-employment

1. 44

   Mikeydoesposted 13 years ago

   How many of you strive to be self employed?
   
   I have big things in my mind that I want to accomplish, I want to be my own boss and do what I want to do.
   
   What about you?

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   1. 65

      Ben Evansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have been self employed for over 12 years.  It is nice but there are several things that you have to understand.
      
      1)  You have to work harder than everyone else.  Self employment is not less work.
      
      2) It takes 5 to 7 years to get on an even keel.
      
      3) It is hard when you have to cut paychecks as opposed to receiving them.
      
      I am not saying this to be discouraging but self employment is hard work. 
      
      The hard work pays off in many ways.  You build wealth instead of consuming wealth.  You have tax advantages. You get to direct yourself and you will learn an amazing amount of information.
      
      but.....It is very hard to be successful.  It is also not the picture that most people have in their minds which is money rolling in and time to golf and take vacations.
      
      
      If you are willing to put in the time and you work very hard, you will be very successful in business. 
      
      I wish you much success.

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   2. 60

      cheryladdeyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I work home-based and the services I offered are outsourcing services. It's a good income generating job.

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   3. 69

      IntimatEvolutionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have been self employed, owned my own LLC for 10 years.  My husband has always been self employed.  The hardest thing about self-employment, is paying the income taxes.  You don't usually pay them with each paycheck, you pay them quarterly.  Well if you make good money during that time frame, it can be a hefty quarterly tax bill.  Well....., it never fails that always happens when your having a bad month.  And the bills don't stop coming in just because your having a down month.  It's a vicious circle.  I'm glad I'm just a lowly employee again!

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   4. 48

      bludragon72posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I am driven to make it in self employment. I have Found a Great company to work with while I build my business.  I maintain a full time job supporting my wife and I and work on my business in other time.  My wife also is self employed and contributes to the house hold with her commissions.  Check out my hub and review our links if you are looking for another income.  Good luck what ever path you take I hope you find success happiness and wellness.
      
      http://hubpages.com/hub/gettingconnected

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2. 61

   megs78posted 13 years ago

   I took that leap, and its working out well.  It was scary, but totally worth it.  I did it so that I could be a stay at home mom and be there (without guilt) for my children when they need me.

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   1. 44

      Mikeydoesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well for starters I plan on making money off of Hubpages. Just a little income, obviously.
      
      I also plan on getting involved in Ewaste and a couple other ideas. Have Voip that I can work on selling.

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3. 61

   megs78posted 13 years ago

   so what is it that you want to do by the way???

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4. 63

   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   I don't strive. I am self-employed.

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5. 67

   lrohnerposted 13 years ago

   I am self-employed as well, and love every minute of it. Oh yeah, except when clients don't pay on time. That totally bites.

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6. 61

   Scribenetposted 13 years ago

   I am with Bob Evans...was self employed for 11 years...loved the experience, but it isn't what everyone assumes; it is hard work, the money just doesn't roll in...it is more work (hours put in) than for a paycheck...but there is something about starting work with a cup of coffee and wearing pyjamas that still appeals to the free spirit in me!

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7. 62

   Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

   I'm self-employed but only because I couldn't find the kind of work that would pay what I'd been used to.  So, I settled for being self-employed and still not earning what I was used to () - but at least with the freedom of being self-employed and the prospect of getting more business if/when I start looking for it more than I do now.
   
   Ben Evans, I'm encouraged to see your 5 to 7 years remark.

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8. 61

   megs78posted 13 years ago

   being self employed is hard work.  but rewarding.  I think one of the biggest hurdles is motivating yourself to keep striving for more.  Its easy to settle when you're making a comfortable income instead of trying to expand and improve.

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9. 70

   thisisoliposted 13 years ago

   I'm technically still self employed, but I am now working as a contractor part time building wordpress websites.
   
   Despite the fact that my modest income was good enough to support me during my lazy days, alas, it is not enough to cover a wedding and immigration

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10. 61

    megs78posted 13 years ago

    I hear ya thisisoli!  I'm not able to take any vacations or buy whatever I want yet, but I'm working on it.  The problem is that I need to advertise to get clients, but advertising is hugely expensive.  At least I will make it back in income taxes, but putting the money out there up front can be a problem.

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11. 0

    Home Girlposted 13 years ago

    I've lost my free spirit in translation... I do not even see myself in any business for myself in Canada now.

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    1. 61

       megs78posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       what is that you do as a job?

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12. 76

    Richieb799posted 13 years ago

    I'd love to be self employed and quit my day job but I'd have to be earning at least a grand a month and I'm only earning a 1/5 of that at the moment

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13. 89

    Pcunixposted 13 years ago

    I have been self employed for a long, long time.
    
    I highly recommend it.
    
    It doesn't necessarily take years to get on an even keel.  I was fine somewhere before my third year.
    
    As to "hard to be successful" - success is what you define it to be.  I define it as having all the leisure time I ever wanted for my family and friends, being able to pick and choose who I work for and when, and to work exactly as hard as I feel like at any given time.  Money is secondary.

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14. 60

    scotnelson284posted 13 years ago

    good for you

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15. 59

    Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

    I have been self employed for most of my life!  Perhaps that explains my outspoken views on some things.  I highly recommend it if you have the nerve!

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16. 67

    Juiceymeposted 13 years ago

    I am Self employed also. It realy is easier to work for someone else and get a weekly paycheck. Show up for work, do the job, go home. But being self employed you work constantly, you have to make all the decisions. I still love it though it is a great challenge and keeps my mind going. Plus I enjoy being the BOSS. If you want to be self employed, just do it. Take that chance and start slowly. As you are researching into it more things seem to come your way.I was afraid at first and the main thing that stopped me at the beginning was....I had no money! But then I figured out that I didn't need alot of money. So don't let the money thing stop you from doing what you want to do. Remember this.....all good things come to those that make an effort. Have a great day and good luck to all.

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    1. 44

       Mikeydoesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       thanks for all of your input. I am working had on all of my ideas. Hopefully I can retire by the time I'm 25
       
       I still want to work the rest of my life, but just with no worries.
       
       If I had millions of dollars I would want to spend it on exploring the oceans and sea floors. And on new technologies.

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