So, you want to start your own business? Think it'll be fun?

[Redstone]

I just finished up gathering my paperwork to take to my accountant for income-tax prep tomorrow.

I paid nineteen thousand, two hundred dollars for health-insurance premiums last year.

Still want to jump into this wonderful world of self-employment?

(No, I'm not complaining. I think having a job after all these years on my own might kill me if I tried it. Just letting you know it's not a day at the beach to own a business.)

Redstone

[xmas74]

1. Yes I do.

I've been looking into starting a simple one person housekeeping gig around my area. I have experience (have been a housekeeper in hotels), the hours would be great for me(most would be while my daughter is in school so I wouldn't have to worry about daycare) and the pay is better-I am making only $7 an hour while the average housekeeper in my area makes $15 an hour starting out.

I could purchase my own insurance(I have to do that now at work to the tune of $275 a month, which is why I have none) and could save enough back to pay for taxes. Right now I'm looking into bonding and am just trying to get my name out there for a couple of jobs.

It's got to be better than what I'm doing now.

[Redstone]

4. If you think you want to try it, you should. You can always go back

if it doesn't work out.

Though I hope it does for you. In fact I know it will. Five years from now, you'll be the CEO of International Houskeping Conglomerate Corporation (Soon to be renamed IntNatHoConCo), and we'll be able to say "Hey we knew her when she was just starting out."

Give it a shot.

Redstone

[xmas74]

6. The start up is low

(mostly cleaning supplies and minor equipment-and from talking to those who already employ help it is usually supplied by the homeowners, not the housekeeper). A reliable mode of transportation(my car), comfortable clothes and shoes(check), auto insurance, gasoline and it is advisable to become bonded at some time if you plan on taking numerous jobs.

Right now a housekeeper makes more than double what I am making right now and they can make their own schedule. I'm just tired of being so damn poor and having people w/ attitude problems constantly get in my face because they have been promoted to management and feel that they are entitled to do so. I'm tired of being treated as if I am less than human because I am a low wage earner. And I'm tired of being taken advantage of because they know that I need the money.

I just want a better life for myself and my child.

[Redstone]

13. You have the right attitude, though remember one thing:

being a housekeeper, you may encounter some attitude from your customers as well.

But somehow, I think you'll find that easier to deal with as an independent, than as an employee. You can always fire your customers, which is something you can't do with a boss.

I think you're ready. Good luck to you.

Redstone

[xmas74]

14. I will get attitude from a few

but I know that I can drop them when the time is right.

And thank you. I've been wanting to do it for a year now but was never sure if I could get it off the ground.

[WCGreen]

21. I have a client that just set up her business.....

She was sick of looking for a job and decided to head out on her own....

I am meeting with her next week....

She has gotten several clients just by leafleting the upper middle class neighborhoods...

[Shine]

2. Well, it could've been worse.

it could've been nineteen thousand, THREE hundred dollars. ;)

THAT would've totally sucked. So, I guess it's all relative, right?



Hey, good on ya, Redstone, for being your own boss! From what I've learned about you in the few short months I've been at DU, you wouldn't have it any other way.
:thumbsup:

[Redstone]

9. Now that I think about it, I've spent almost half of my working life

working for myself. Six or seven different things, but this last one has lasted 14 years, which is a lot longer than any of the others.

And I'm one of the lucky ones; I'm still pretty well-known in my prior field, and could step into a six-figure gig in about a week if I wanted to, and if you factor in the $65K plus of yearly overhead expenses that I wouldn't have to spend anymore, you'd be talking about making a reasonably comfortable living.

But then I'd have to fly on business trips, and I hear that airports aren't fun places anymore. And I wouldn't want to have to be away from my family for ten days at a time like I used to.

I'll stick with what I have. And thanks for the compliment.

Redstone

[TroubleMan]

3. I never would want my own business.

Even before your post, it's always sounded like a nightmare to me.

I just like going to work, doing my job, and getting paid. I don't want to have to deal with the nightmares that are also known as: accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. I turned down being management, because I don't like being responsible for other peoples' work. I'm good at my job, and when I'm left alone to do it and concentrate on just my job, I'm one of the best in the business. Being a good employee at a good company is much better IMHO.

[sendero]

7. Your own business it good..

... as long as you don't have any employees :)

[Redstone]

10. There's a lot to be said for your attitude. If you like what you're doing,

and can make a reasonable living at it, why not stick with it?

Self-employment is not for everyone. I'm glad you've found a solid job that you like, and one that does not give you a lot of stress.

And by the way, I think you made a wise choice, refusing the management option. It's a completely different world, and can be quite unpleasant.

Redstone

[Ravenseye]

5. Tell me about it

Health insurance is insane. Luckily my partner takes care of most of the financial stuff, but lucky me...I drew 'benefits' from the hat.

I remember the first time we did the taxes and the first numbers we got back were over 10 grand in owed taxes when I had like zilch in the bank to pay them....I nearly had a heart attack.

I think we paid something in the order of 15 grand in health insurance premiums that year as well...I can't even imagine how much larger companies have to shell out for it.

[Redstone]

Primanti's! I've never been there, but I really want to some day.

(I looked at your profile.)

Are their sandwiches as gloriously ridiculous as people say they are?

Redstone

[Ravenseye]

15. My friend, they're truly glorious

No image can do them justice. When we lived away from Pittsburgh we'd often go right to Pirmanti's from the airport when we visited. It's not far from the main women's hospital where most babies are born in Pittsburgh and it's become a tradition amongst my friends that when our women have babies, we walk from the hospital to get a sandwich and a beer at Pirmanti's.

It's definately on the 'must visit' list for anyone who comes to western Pennsylvania.

Oh and anyone that says "Cole Slaw and Fries on a sandwich?" with a snotty tone can go to hell. It's awesome and you shouldn't judge until you've had one. For those that have had one and didn't like it, you really need to pull that stick out of your ass, cause maybe that'll kill the bug that crawled up there.

Primanti's Rules

[Redstone]

16. I want one. No, I want two. That looks as good as a Philly cheeseseak

hoagie. Different, but as good.

Damn.

Redstone

[Ravenseye]

17. Very different from a Philly Cheesesteak

and far more options too. My wife is veggie so she gets a double egg and cheese. Two eggs fried with cheese melted on top, between two thick slices of french bread, then on the eggs and cheese, tomatoes, coleslaw and thick cut french fries. Meanwhile I'll get something like a roast beef, or a corned beef, which are made up of like deli cut slices fried, covered with cheese, then same treatment...or you can get chicken, or a bunch of other things. Capicola. Angus steak. Heck you can even get sardines.

They're not very greasy, unlike a philly cheesesteak.

They're just so good with a nice cold beer, the sandwich....maybe a side of the slaw, which is not your normal cole slaw. It's not got mayo or carrots in it. the slaw there is essentially just shredded cabbage with oil/vinegar and salt and pepper. It's good. It's a little messier sometimes to eat than a hoagie, but well worth it.

[Redstone]

18. Stop, stop, I'm drooling on my keyboard!

Messy is good, when it comes to sandwiches. Messier is generally better.

I don't generally favor the vinegar-type slaws, but I bet it's terrific in the sandwich, especially given the fries.

I want one.

Redstone

[Ravenseye]

20. Well you have a few options...

http://www.primantibros.com/locations.asp

Pittsburgh, Ft. Lauderdale (the owners vacation there), or have someone ship one to you (which I don't really recommend).

You ever come to Pittsburgh I'll take you.

[Redstone]

22. No, I'd never have something like that shipped to me. I need to

go there. I really need to. Maybe this summer.

Redstone

[no name no slogan]

8. Been there, done that. Hated it, immensely.

Self-employment sucked. If I can avoid it for the rest of my life, I will.

[Redstone]

11. But hey, I can drink beer in my office if I want to. I don't, but it's

nice to know I could if I wanted to and nobody could fire me for it.

Redstone

[no name no slogan]

12. ....

:rofl:

Good point. I have to admit to doing that once, while I was under a tight deadline, and it was after midnight, right before I turned off the computer for the day.

Of course, I work in governmnet now, so it wouldn't be too out of line to be drunk on the job. Unfortuntely, I've seen worse at work... :o

[Redstone]

19. And also, working for the government, you can be as stupid as you

want to, without consequences. Look how well bushyboy and rumdumb and "dead-eye" dick do financially, and they're all brain-dead!

Redstone

[yvr girl]

23. Wouldn't be a problem in Canada

That's just scary.

[Redstone]

24. Isn't it? You guys up there, and in other civilized countries, must think

we Americans are fucking nuts to put up with this situation.

And I think you're right to think that.

Redstone

[yvr girl]

25. We had a Greatest Canadian show a year or so ago on the CBC

A bunch of choices were wittled down to 10 people who were profiled for 1 hour each week. People could go online and vote for their choice.

The eventual winner was Tommy Douglas who amongst his other accomplishments was the father of universal medical care in Canada.

[China_cat]

26. Been there, done that, don't EVER want to deal with that much

paperwork again for anything.

[opiate69]

27. In a sense, I am..

Been conditioning myself to look at my band as a 'real" business... although, we're in the red and most likely will be for the forseeable future. But, I love the work, so..