Can You Even Imagine Going Back To Working For Someone Else After Being Your Own Boss

wackman

Things are getting pretty rough out there and a lot of small companies won't make it. Hell a lot of big companies won't make it either. I've been going over all the scenarios in my head and that one makes me shudder...

I've gotten so accustomed to defining my life, both professionally and personally, that the idea of a nine to five seems like a prison sentence. It makes me relate to the way the ex-cons say "I am never going back".

Don't get me wrong, I'd do it if it came to that and I'm not putting down anyones role as an employee but for all the guys and gals who have started a company of their own I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about.

There is just nothing as great as making it on your own, making your decisions and seeing what comes of them, having the authority to do what you feel like you should do, even if it turns out to be a bad idea.

Anyone else feel the same as me???

Wack

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wellbuilthome

Ive never realy worked for anty one .I started cutting grass when i was a kid and moved up to being a GC in 1984 and i only had three jobs 1 for 6years 1 for three months and one for 4 weeks I started building when i was 14 now im almost 50 .Im tooled up for anty thing , but ive almost given up on large additions for now . My phone is ringing like mad and there are people that need work done but my last 6 good leads could not get the money from the bank. I think i mite start doing bathrooms and kitchens until spring .Most people around here cant get more then 45000 from the bank and they all want 100, 000 doller jobs . Last year was good for me this year will be ok but i need to change with the times .

ChainsawCharlie

Never.

Even if it means starving to death.

Mellison

The thought of working for someone else can keep me up at night.
After 12 years on my own I still get nervous. But that is only because I understand how great we have it. As I post this responce, sitting back drinking coffee and going over my different jobs, I can't help but think if not self employed I would already be on the job with the forman TELLING ME what MUST BE DONE!!!
Instead I will Light my cigar, make some insurance calls, get my crews ready and count my blessings.
G-D I love America.
P .S.
Before being your own boss, Could you ever have imagined being excited to return to work after a three day weekend (even though I did go to the job a few times)?

wallmaxx

no.

dirtdiggler pt2

Wack

Totally hear every single word there - and certainly have had the same thoughts as you. Maybe this will help you

There's alot to be said for a nice steady paycheck every week. And there's a lot to be said for being the boss.

But to be miserable, starving, getting collectors calling you on 90 bills overdue --- that's no way to live either, in my opinion. Add family to the picture and if you are a provider ... then that comes first.

It takes a man to REALLY put others [loved ones] before him and sacrifice what he wants in order to keep everyone fed and clothed.

A business is to serve one purpose - to MAKE MONEY. If it's not doing that - what good is it??



However - if it makes you feel better ...

I think once an entrepreneur, always one.

Contracting is NOT the only kind of business in the world. There are far too many things in this world - and far too many opportunities.

If I became an employee - I don't think it would last long. I've never really held down a "real" 9-5 job. Hell, my job now is the longest one I've had. But I think after a couple months - I'd come up with another business idea, and start working on it. Seriously. It's just the way my brain works.

Once an entrepreneur, always one. It's a blessing and a curse to live with. Thank someone in your family gene for giving you that E-chromosome .... cuz not too many people have it.



Wack, another thing too ... If memory serves me right, you and I are roughly the same age/generation (mid or late 20s, right?)

If there's one thing I've come to accept ... life is nothing but one change after another. You NEVER get to a point and say "whew - i made it" .... instead, you get to a point and find another point to get to. In the middle of it all, life throws tons of sh*t at you, and alotta good things as well.


Something else too ... don't let what you do define WHO you are. Define yourself on how you do it instead - whatever that may be.

Then again ... most of these guys here are twice my age - so wtf do I know

rbsremodeling

I would gouge my eyes out and sell them on ebay rather than taking a 9-5. Is that a NO?

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JumboJack

I would do what ever it takes to take care of my family.

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..........

nlgutters

The thought of no golf at 11am on a friday is making me a little sick

Ed the Roofer

I not only have envisioned it, but I have a plan and a list of company's for me to recruit to enlist my services as a commissioned salesman if things ever did not work out.

There are 3 times that I had to start wondering if that emergency back up plan would need to go into effect and I would make sure that the structure for sales provided growth and profit for the new company and a huge incentive for myself.

I will do whatever I need to do, to take care of my family and remain in the lifestyle that we have grown into.

There is no shame involved when it comes to making things work out, one way or another. I would be someones biggest asset with what I bring to the table.

But, just when that possibility arises, it also forces me to strive harder for my own pursuits and achieve my goals so I do not have to rely on Plan B.

Ed

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woodchuck2

I have only been my own boss full time now for about 6 months and being your own boss is great IMO, example: right now i am home for lunch checking out this site. I couldnt be doing that if i were working 9-5. I got tired of the same daily routine, working weekends and holidays, having to kiss up to the boss for days off, tired of making someone else money and watching them benifit from my labor. From here on if anyone is going to benifit from my labor it will be my family and I, no one else. Some folks say the economy is tough right now and for some it may be, but right now i am straight out 6-7 days a week and falling behind. I left the 9-5 career so i wouldnt be working weekends but now i am making 3-4 times the money so that makes it alot easier, that and i must take the work while i have it.

wackman

I know it man, you hit it on the button. I have no kids so I don't worry too much about supporting a family but I plan on having one fairly soon so I don't want to blow what I already have. I'm going into survival mode right now. I already work a lot of hours because I like too but now it's gonna be even more if needed.

I don't have a good plan that I know could pay all my bills. I could always go back to being a carpenter/foreman but around here they make about 60k and that's just not enough.

By the way Ed, how old are you. Sometimes I think you're around my age but sometimes I think you're older? Seems I remember you having a young son.

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Meetre

I can tell you from experience, it's tough!!! This is my second go-round in contracting-the first ended with me and the partner not getting along. We split, and I ended up moving from ND to ID. Took a few years getting to know people out here and started again. If something happens this time, I'll gather my ducks and give it another go. Just remember, the most successful people FAIL more than anyone else, we just don't stop trying until we succed.

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GregS

The only thing I miss about my corporate job is having a bunch of cash shoveled directly into my bank account every two weeks. I found it a much more unstable job compared to driving around in a van fixing peoples telephones.

rbsremodeling

I have been approached twice to join a larger firm. But I can't do it.

I have been self employed in construction 18 of my 38 and never really had a boss the first guy I worked with treated me like a partner because I had certain skill sets that he lack.

My style and outlook on life is very different from most. I'd be very depressed at a job. I use profanity like a marine and I talk crap all day to my employees, subs and customers. It just wouldn't work for me

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Brock

Done it and would do it again. In fact I am always on the lookout for newbies starting up.

So far i have helped two companies start up and went 1.5 years with the first one and 2 years with the second. I negotiated salary both times and had a commision on all sales. I loved it it. I got to get both guys to spend their money on all my ideas and all the gambling was on them. They both are doing very well and I just noticed the second guy has his add on the front page of the new AT@T book that just came out. That add alone probably set him back around 1/4 million. He now has opened in KC, Tulsa, Dallas, and OKC!! He works water also, which is the new gold rush, as you all know, but has the remodeling in each market.

silvertree

I'd do everything I could not to let that happen. I have worked for other people and it went well enough, but nothing beats calling the shots.

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Treeandland

I could imagine it and I don't like the thought of it. I've gone through all my expenses a few times lately to see what it's going to take to keep going if everything dries up completely and it aint pretty.

And daily trying to think of new business ideas to #1 Keep my business going #2 start a new business that is more appealing to people in times like these.

dirtdiggler pt2

Guys - I admire the positive attitudes - believe me - i DO NOT want to ever work for someone ever again (myself included)



But ... all the penny pinching, Ramen noodles, 24/7 work hours won't do you a bit of good ...





... unless you have work.





In the end - you cannot 100% control getting a job. That depends on other people. That reality is something you have to just live with (or else the uncertainty will kill you, or drive you into madness).





Now - I will say this. There is NO SUCH THING as job security. I don't know too many people these days (other industries included) that feel to secure with their jobs.

it's just the current times i guess.



oh - and wack - 33 is still a youngin too, lol