Discussion
Both. Whilst my original technical skills are obviously important to what I do, taking on multiple roles as sales person, book keeper, designer, journalist etc all proved challenging simply because they were new.
None in themselves are inherently difficult, but learning something new and putting yourself in situations with experienced people who assume that you've been doing it for years can be a bit daunting when you don't know the ropes.
There's an incredible sense of self-belief to be gained from doing it though.
None in themselves are inherently difficult, but learning something new and putting yourself in situations with experienced people who assume that you've been doing it for years can be a bit daunting when you don't know the ropes.
There's an incredible sense of self-belief to be gained from doing it though.
I'd agree with Ted on that one, if you start up on your own, unless you are very well funded you will find that there are lots and lots of new skills to learn. Good fun and very rewarding but sometimes I would like to do what I'm actually trained and experienced at.
Oh well..
As an aside I know a couple of people who have made quite dramatic changes, where it has been something they were interested in then they have done well.
(HGV driver, to Lawyer to Damp Proofer anyone?)
D.
Oh well..
As an aside I know a couple of people who have made quite dramatic changes, where it has been something they were interested in then they have done well.
(HGV driver, to Lawyer to Damp Proofer anyone?)
D.
A year ago I started my own business, converting what was previously hobby woodwork into an actual business making furniture. Eventually I realised that the real money is in kitchens, so that is what I now make. I hate the admin side of the business, and am looking forward to when my wife can join me and take that side of things over.
Is it hard? Yes. Would I go back to working for someone else? NO
Is it hard? Yes. Would I go back to working for someone else? NO
I have the best home based business in the world IMHO. It's funded a really nice home, a Jaguar S type & a TVR Tuscan S. My commute is from the bedroom to my study and I no longer see more than 1 eight o'clock in a day! Happy to share details of my business but please e-mail me through my profile
PetrolTed said:
I know a VB coder who jacked it in to set up and run a large bodyshop.
davidd said:
Yes but he was a shit coder (I do hope he does not have a PC in the workshop). Joking aside, I believe he is doing very well and was offering a reasonable dseal on TVR nose jobs..
D.
Well thanks very much folks.
Yup I jacked in being a VB/SQL coder (contractor for 9 years in London) and returned to Suffolk. I started a bodyshop from scratch 7 months ago and now I have a 10,000 sqft unit, 16 employees and an annualised turnover of just under a £million a year.
Thats the good stuff.
To describe the trials and tribulations of getting to this point would take a novel the size of War and Peace. I never knew that I would have to be like a mother hen to the employees, wear a suit and talk nicely to the bank, Joe Public can be your worst enemy sometimes and profit margins are slim. Hours are longer; its 7:54 and I've been here for a while already and I don't get home till 8:00pm. My personal wealth has taken a massive hit. The days of buying what I want when I want have gone.
It's been a huge learning experiance. Not all of it fun.
We do however do great front end resprays on TVRS and assorted exotica. In the last 3 months we've done 3 TVRs, 1 Maserati and 2 Ferraris'. Location: Bury St Edmunds, 20 miles east of Cambridge.
Andrew
APGUY is right to point out the importance of specialisation. In business for yourself you will get nowhere competing with large, well established firms. It is essential to find some related work that is more suited to smaller firms, and going up market is almost invariably the way to do it.
Good god, I thought I was the only one over here in BSE. As far as the thread is concerned,
1) got a degree in Civil Engineering specialising in Geology, Geophysics & Geotechnics then managed to graduate in the middle of an engineering slump, so went into retail
2) decided I would probably die of bordom and was fed up with having the pee taken out of me by employers so
3) switched to Financial Services in 1988, now partner in IFA practice, Fellow of Life Assurance Association and industry Consultant Lecturer and loving it.
In summary, if your not happy with what your doing, bite the bullet & change, and the best thing (if you are of the right mindset) is be the boss as you get all the good bits.
1) got a degree in Civil Engineering specialising in Geology, Geophysics & Geotechnics then managed to graduate in the middle of an engineering slump, so went into retail
2) decided I would probably die of bordom and was fed up with having the pee taken out of me by employers so
3) switched to Financial Services in 1988, now partner in IFA practice, Fellow of Life Assurance Association and industry Consultant Lecturer and loving it.
In summary, if your not happy with what your doing, bite the bullet & change, and the best thing (if you are of the right mindset) is be the boss as you get all the good bits.
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