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Who has created their own job or own their own business?

Discussion in 'Jobs & Careers' started by Zombie Runner, Jun 21, 2013.

  1. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:36 AM
    #1
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    Kevin
    Wichita Falls, TX
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    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
    I am feeling like I am in a rut. I need a change, a career change, I need adventure, I wouldnt mind moving!

    I dont really want to work for "the man" anymore. In my adult life I have only had two jobs, the Air Force and now Im a civillian working on an AF base...:eek:

    I have been doing a lot of brainstorming lately and I have several ideas for things I would like to do but I would also like to hear from other people on this topic.


    :popcorn:
     
  2. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:37 AM
    #2
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Peter North
    British Columbia
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    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    I have owned my own construction company for 14 years
     
  3. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM
    #3
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    Wichita Falls, TX
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    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
    Did you work in construction before that?
    What made you want to get into that business?
     
  4. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM
    #4
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Massachusetts
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    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    Hats off to you and the others who started their own companies. I have a lot of respect for you guys and wish I had the guts to do it.
     
  5. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:46 AM
    #5
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 Well-Known Member

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    Brian
    Walnutport, PA
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    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    I'm very interested in this. I have been thinking about starting up my own business as well.
     
  6. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:48 AM
    #6
    chadderkdawg

    chadderkdawg Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to..

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    Des Moines, Iowa
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    Subbed, interested to hear everyones experiences. My dad started a computer support business, worked out of his home in his "free" time for about 10 years, went full time and opened a storefront about 3 years ago. Not much profit margin when dealing with the public... Myself, I would enjoy getting involved in commercial computer consulting at some point.
     
  7. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:48 AM
    #7
    tostidos

    tostidos Well-Known Member

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    Apple Valley, CA
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    My parents used to own a few restaurants in upstate New York. They did pretty well fro themselves but I have never followed suit. I was thinking about starting a business one day but for now im happy where Im at. Hats off to you folks who do start your own business!
     
  8. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:48 AM
    #8
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    British Columbia
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    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    Yes , I've been in construction my whole life , including the unpaid , slave labour teenage years working for my carpenter dad , lol
     
  9. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:48 AM
    #9
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Jerry
    Benicia, CA
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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    I started my business from the ground up from just a hobby. Starting a business is easy it's keeping it alive that's the real work. If you have no idea what you want to do I would think long and hard before going off on your own.
     
  10. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:49 AM
    #10
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
  11. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:51 AM
    #11
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Peter North
    British Columbia
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    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    Very true words
     
  12. Jun 21, 2013 at 8:54 AM
    #12
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    oil change...
    Gotcha, so growing up around it is what influenced you then. I've seen your work and it looks great :cheers:

    My dad has always been a welder and did side jobs all his life making deer feeders and odd jobs here and there. He started his own Custom gate and fence business several years ago and has been doing very well at it.

    I hear ya. From the reading ive been doing it seems like you always have to expand and offer new products or services to keep above water. Innovation. It takes a lot of guts to take the first step
     
  13. Jun 21, 2013 at 9:02 AM
    #13
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 Well-Known Member

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    Brian
    Walnutport, PA
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    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    That was a very good read, thank you for posting that. He gives a lot of good ideas, what I took away from that was basically don't dwell on the past or get caught up in the "what if's". Today is the day you're living in and right now is the only time you have access to, so make the most of it.
     
  14. Jun 21, 2013 at 9:04 AM
    #14
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Jerry
    Benicia, CA
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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    Yes it does I quit a very high salary "BORNING" job with a Federal government to do what I do. My family thought I was crazy my wife was on board so I went for it and never looked back. And I'm glad I did I have now more then doubled that annual salary and I love every minute of it.

    If you ever have the chance to do something you love you will never work another day in your life. Make a good living doing it and it's just that much better.
     
  15. Jun 21, 2013 at 9:04 AM
    #15
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    Thanks

    Yes , basically it is one of those things where you end up getting some skill just by way of being around that particular environment , and then it becomes the skill set you can rely on to get you summer jobs , then employment after high school , then next thing you know you've been doing it all your life , haha

    Not sure if it's a benefit or a curse

    I've been a carpenter as my full time job for 25 years this year

    Not sure if my experience is that helpful to you , but the most rewarding and the most stressful portion of that 25 years has definitely been the time that I have been the business owner / banker / crew psycologist and marriage councellor / babysitter
     
  16. Jun 21, 2013 at 9:14 AM
    #16
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    Whatever you decide to do-Be sure you ENJOY IT.
    Self-employed people WORK HARDER-but the rewards can be great.
    Don't forget the TAX MAN.
    Life is GOOD!
    An 8hr day is much easier than a 24 hr a day job(business owner).
     
  17. Jun 21, 2013 at 9:17 AM
    #17
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Jerry
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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    So true I can't remember the last time I didn't work at least 12 to 15 hours in a day. 10+ in the shop and another 3 to 5 at home updating paperwork.
     
  18. Jun 21, 2013 at 10:21 AM
    #18
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    Wichita Falls, TX
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    oil change...
    Thanks for sharing with me, OZ. I like to hear what people have to say. If you like what you are doing then I would not say that its been a "curse". You get to build awesome houses and live in an amazing part of the world.

    Sounds like my dad. Works all day, then "after" work he has to meet with possible clients and do paperwork.

    He has mentioned buying a larger shop and adding a powdercoating shop to it and I told him that I would love to partner with him and run the powdercoating/painting side of the business and take of any marketing and advertising. I just dont know if I want to get tied down to something like that in this town.
    Maybe I could do it for a while, build the business up then sell my half :notsure:
    I just dont know, Im a noob to all this
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2013
  19. Jun 21, 2013 at 12:44 PM
    #19
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Jandy
    Lancaster, PA
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    2016 GMC Canyon SLT w/ LineX and....
    I hear ya.....
    I've been working the same company for 19 years.... in a factory, shift work, and weekends. I've been at the top of my game for so many years. The company has changed dramatically... we're just 'a number'. They keep squeezing everything out of you... No more pensions, no more 401K match, and the health insurance keeps getting more expensive every year. Thank God I have 18 years of pension built up.... What's the point of making a career at a company that doesn't offer pensions? Is that the wave of the future with employers?

    But anyway - It's time to GTFO.

    I'm 45....and have no frigin idea what to do and scared to death to start over. Sure - I could be that schmuck that works in the mall (lame) - but damn, I think I'm worth more than that?

    My husband always says, you should start your own business.

    Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Right.... doing what??????????
     
  20. Jun 21, 2013 at 1:15 PM
    #20
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    Kevin
    Wichita Falls, TX
    Vehicle:
    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
    each time our company contract renews more and more spots get cut. Its at a point now where we are pretty much understaffed. any time someone takes vacation 2 other people have to shuffle around to fill in the gaps. between 4 people there is about 6 months of vacation that will need to be taken. That means myself and another guy will have to fill in those spots.
     
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