how do you make it when your self employed?
360052
I haven't been self employed as long as you but I understand what you're going through. The main drawback of being self employed is that there are so many problems and responsibilities that you must deal with on a daily basis and sometimes that can be discouraging. When you're working for a boss in 9 to 5 job you only have to worry about work from 9 to 5. When you own your own business you have to worry about work 24 hours a day 7 days a week.\n\nMy suggestion is you step back and take a look at your business and think of ways to make it grow. Revamp your image, advertise, and try a new angle. When you change your business for the better you gain a new sense of accomplishment and pride and this will motivate you to work better and eventually it will increase your profits. When you're doing something you love it's hard to fail. Work becomes fun and refreshing and you'll see yourself happier and more productive.\n\nDon't give up now. Try something new and exciting with your business and I assure you that you'll remember why you started in the first place!\n\nI run a clothing company and I'm constantly faced with the same problems but I love what I do and business has never been better.\n\n~Mark Lim\n\nhttp://www.poisonappleshirts.com
1143056
Your best bet may be to go into business for yourself...\n\nThe best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* How to Really Start Your Own Business, Fourth Edition by David E. Gumpert\n* How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide by David E. Gumpert\n* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman \n* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss \n* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky\n* Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition by Greg Holden\n* How to Start and Maintain A Successful Online Business by Kelly Thornton\n* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
437526
As a sole prop, you first need to decide whether you will be doing biz as yourself, i.e., Jane Doe, or with a fictitious business name (aka DBA, doing-business-as).\n\nIf you will do business as yourself, then you just need to find out if there are any licensing requirments for your type of biz in your city/county/state.  Your local county recorders office can most definitely give you guidance on that.  If needed, obtain the necessary license, genrally by paying a reasonable fee.\n\nThen you need to open a bank account for your business.  Although you can use your current personal checking account (as a sole prop, you are allowed to do this), for accounting and business record purposes, not to mention taxes, it is adviseable you open a seperate account for the biz.\n\nIf you want to do biz under a fictitious biz name, you must pay a visit to your county recorder's office and file a DBA.  Once you have the DBA, you can open a checking account under the DBA name, i.e., Quality Window Cleaning.\n\nThose are the basics.  However, there is one very important thing you should do that is not technically "required".  And that is preparing a sound biz plan.  Put your ideas in writing.  Take the most important elements and come up with strategies on how you will market, finance and grow your biz.  Too many people fail to take this VERY important step and end up failing.  There are many business plan resources out there, many of them free.  Visit the web site for the SMall Business Administration for some free resources on this topic.\n\nGood luck on your endeavor and feel free to contact me at aizadpanah@yahoo.com with any questions.
1145313
I made my first this way. After high school I started a window cleaning business, I did that for 6 Month's or so..then I started a commercial cleaning business with the money I made there..I did that for about 3 years and worked my butt off and sold it for 90k in 1985.\nI then got offered a job in advertising..I did that for 2 years..learned everything I could and started my own agency..I had about 18 people working for me..then like before I sold it BIG$$$. I now manage money..MINE in the market. I wake up everyday..sit in front of the computer (10:30 am)..then I go out and sit at my pool. I own 3 apartment buildings, 6 houses I rent out..but the vast majority is in investments. Keeping liquid is important! Work your tail off and work smart!\n\nGood Luck!
1129661
Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck. \n\nSome things you need to consider:\n- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?" \n- "What are my abilities?" \n- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?" \n- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?" \n\nYou may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:\n\n1. Provide a benefit.\n2. Determine the fit with your market.\n3. Right timing is everything\n4. Be ready to support your business\n5. Develop a blueprint for success\n6. Market, market, market\n\nTo give you ideas on what exactly do you need to start your own business, here are ten things you need to know before launching your own business  “10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Home Business” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/startingbiz.htm .\n\nI recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed \n\nThere are many businesses who started with so little yet grew to become good income vehicles down the road. From the article "How to Start a Business with Little Cash" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol30/nocash.htm  here are some tips on how you can start a business and earn more money even if you are short of cash today:\n\n1. Find a business that you can start for little money (e.g. an errand business where your main cost is telephone and gasoline is easier to start than starting a Subway franchise)\n\n2. Consider your time and effort - if you have little cash, you may have to work harder for the money because you will have no resource to outsource or employ others to do certain tasks for you; or you have no money to buy equipment so you can only do certain things the long way\n\n3. Get your creative juices flowing. With no money, the only thing you have is your imagination. Be creative and find ways to get things done \n\n4. Be prepared to do all the work yourself - from doing your business plan, finding financing, writing emails, shipping and handling, marketing or whatever processes your business requires. \n\n5. Be prepared to invite investors - you may need financing help from someone down the road so be prepared to share some of the pie.
456195
You need to register as self employed with the Inland Revenue (HMRC) within the first three months of becoming self employed, or you can be fined.  Go to the HMRC website (listed in the sources below) for more info, or call 0845 9154515, which is the helpline for the newly self-employed. You can register by calling that number.\n\nHope it helps!
641397
I have been self-employed and I have worked in public work both. You have several questions which are extremely relevant and crucial to you if you are considering going into business for yourself. I can give you the information I have from my own employee and employer status and probably it will make more sense if I make lists for you so here is my effort.....\nSelf -employed benefits\nYou are your own taskmaster, you decide what is to be done and when.\nYou are the one in control of how much money you allow for your salary , what your work is worth\nYou have a much better tax break opportunity as everything you put into the buiness you have is taken off the top of your income, somethings must be depreciated but that can be a good thing.\nIf you are ill you can take it easy and still go to work for a short while or hire a temporary employee to help get it taken care of until you are 100%\nIf your child or spouse has a dinner or sporting event you can make things work out so you are free to go or even to coach or direct something.\nYou have more time to become involved in your community as part of the governing body or festivals and such.\nAnd finally if you ever want to be independently comfortable the only way you can do it is by owning and operating your own business because you get all of the money made up front, before anyone or anything else puts their hand into it. You get to keep more of the money you make and not pay so much out in taxes or childcare or the cost of going to work every day has gotten to be staggering these days with just putting fuel in a vehicle.\n\nThe disadvantages of being self-employed\n\nYou are the one responsible to keep the buisness running at a certain level of operation that is acceptable to whomever you are selling your product to, or you won't keep their business very long.\nYou are the one who is going to sacrifice during the lean first few years where your wages are concerned. A lot of people can't take the stress after a year or so and fold. You must always believe you will succeed and never quit unless it is a case of the bank quitting you first! /then be ever careful of the past repeating itself and if it is a ongoing trend then cut your losses and get out before this happens. this way you can start agin with a new venture and the bank will be behind you. Always take care of the ones that you depend upon befre you worry about yourself and you won't ever have to worry about yourself!\nYou have to watch the competition and you have to upgrade to the competitive level or you won't be able to compete and that means death to a business. If you can't upgrade to competetive levels then don't compete, you can't win! Turn to another area of the buiness and expand it or I suppose diversify is the word I am looking for here.\nIf you hire people to work for you, this is a major headache most of the time, because they are going to leave you high and dry when you need them the most if you are not generous to them with a bonus for extra work well done or if they never see you doing the things you make them do. In other words you have to get dirty every day to keep their respect and if you ever have to fire one or lay them off it is a hard thing to do. VERY HARD THING TO DO!\nThere are a lot more but I will stop there due to the forum we are in.\n\nThe benefits of being an employee\nYou don't have to worry about anything except getting there on time, doing a decent job at what ever you are put ot doing, you get to go home and leave it there for the bosses to worry about if it didn't get done on time, and you usually receive benefits of insurance that if you own the business you have to pay through the nose to set up for the employees and you don't usually have very much coverage for yourself.\nYou are ensured by the federal government that the workplace will be safe and non-hazardous to your health.\nYou know how much money you are going to bring home every week
19069
Work for a big corp first to learn the business then after that make your own business.
554935
Just like starting any business, working for yourself is a lot of hard work.  But since you are the boss, sky is the limit as far as earnings potential.  And yes, when you are more established, you can hire accountants to do the work and make money for you.
1162033
Ever concidered starting up ur own company? \nYou could register yourself as a disadvantaged individual and ur HDI points in local goverment will sky-rocket, almost insuring an instant placement in some or other on going government project, then u could work ur way up from there.
376521
Become self employed then, plenty of things to do from you home and make money.
781209
WITH all of the talk about corporate downsizing, it seems that now is a good time to become your own boss.\n\nBut starting a business requires a lot more than dreams of independence, unfettered creativity and a pot of money at the end of the rainbow. It requires would-be entrepreneurs to map out a plan for success and to stick with it.\n\nWhile it's good to have a certain degree of caution about branching out on your own, experts like Walt F.J. Goodridge, author of Turn Your Passion Into Profit, says that wariness can sometimes result in paralysis, or "entrepreneurophobia." The solution, according to Goodridge and other financial experts, is to tackle the thing you're most afraid of. "It may not always be easy, but it will always be worth it," Goodridge writes. "Remember, you can always find excuses not to do something you're afraid of."\n\n\n Develop a Unique Idea. Experts agree that a successful business needs to satisfy distinct needs or interests. Use the problems you have experienced at past jobs, or in life in general, to develop an entrepreneurial idea. Consider turning your passion into a business. Focus on a segment of the community that is underserved and develop ways to provide needed or desired services to that segment.\n\nDefine and Research Your Market. Know your target market. Define age, race, income level, and any other category of consumers you want to reach. Targeting your market makes it easier to design your products or services to meet consumer needs. You can always expand your business to other groups. Before launching a product or service, study the market to predict the necessity for your services. Information can be gathered at the library and online.\n\nDevelop a Business Plan. Experts strongly warn against skipping this step. Although a plan can be mapped out mentally, experts say you should put your ideas on paper. Record your ideas in a notebook, and map out a step-by-step plan to start your business. Call schools in your area or check newspapers for classes on developing business plans.\n\nFinance Your Business. This is the biggest hurdle for most would-be entrepreneurs. Start your business part-time, while keeping your full-time job. This route ensures a steady income, health insurance, and stability until your business is self-sufficient. Save enough cash to last at least six months if you plan to quit your job. Other options include bank loans, grants and borrowing from family or close friends.\n\nLocation, Location, Location. When choosing a location, consider the cost of utilities and rent. Other factors include foot traffic, accessibility to targeted customers, competition, demographics and proximity to other businesses. As a cost-saving move, consider starting as a home-based business. Ask local organizations such as churches, schools and community centers to lease you space for less money than traditional means or in exchange for your volunteer services.\n\nMedia Campaign. Experts advise exploring all possible avenues to make people aware of your business. Word of mouth is one of the most productive advertising tactics. Other strategies include newspapers, flyers, business cards and developing a Web site.\n\nThese tips could put you on that road to the financial security you have always dreamed of, but be cautious. "Success in business is never automatic," according to the United States Small Business Association. "It isn't strictly based on luck--although a little never hurts. It depends primarily on the owner's foresight and organization. Even then, of course, there are no guarantees."
669326
Everybody has bills to pay. Successful people never let circumstances control them. That is why you see so many people living mediocre lives because they let circumstances control them. You gotta overcome to become.\n\nAny kind of business will involve risk. If you do not have a huge capital to begin with, my advice is get a regular day job. Start your business on the side. Work hard in your business until the business income surpasses your day job income. Then quit your job and concentrate on building a bigger and better business.
1072853
Have you thought about going into business for yourself? Think of all your interests & ask yourself if any of those could be expanded into a business. Just keep in mind...what's your expertise? What are your interests? What could you imagine yourself doing?\n\nBy researching the prospect of starting your own business -- what it entails, what you need to know, helpful hints, etc -- you'll feel better prepared to take that plunge.\n\nI found some book titles that are relevant to your specific question:\n\n* 101 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home by Susan Sweeney\n* The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century by Paul Edwards\n* Selling Online: How to Become a Successful E-Commerce Merchant by Jim Carroll\n* I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It by Barbara Sher\n* I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work by Julie Jansen\n* The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start by Marian Betancourt\n* The Shoestring Entrepreneur's Guide to Internet Start-Ups by Robert Spiegel \n* Making a Living Without a Job : Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love by Barbara Winter\n\nI also posted some article links in the source box.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
739925
Why am i not surprised that most of the answers are trying to sell you something or another.\n\nIf you are thinking of being self employed and run your own business, but do not know what direction to aim for, the typical answer is..... to follow your passions.\n\ndon't ask me what that means, but if you read the books that many business owners have written they will say that you must be passionate about your business, for it to work.\n\nMy question to you then is, what are you passionate about, or asked in a different manner.\n\nIf you had an opportunity to receive a very impressive award and be recognized by your peers and society, in what field would you like it to be in.\n\nFor example, if you said, "helping single mothers to succeed in life, parenting and business" then your focuss would then follow that path, by deciding, \nwho do you need to know, to help single mother to succeed......\nwhat do you need to know, to help...............\n what do you need to do,.... to .......\n and how would I need to sell it.\n\nread books like the emyth by michael gerber, and anything you can get your hands on about starting your own business.\n\nThe web is great as a resource, but I caution you for all the sales pitches with their own agenda and products.\n\nMany years ago, my decision was real estate, after owning a book business, now I also am a part owner in a craft business, train realtors, and manage a real estate office, and invest in real estate. so there are many ways and roads that you can follow, and combine.\n\nIn answering your question, my own light went on, I think I am passionate about making other achieve their dreams,  cool.....\n\nBy the way, I am not selling anything to you, other than the concept, that what ever it is that you want to be proud to known for, is a great way to decide where you want to focuss on.\n\nGood Luck, although luck has little to do with it, hard work, good support (surround yourself with those with the talents you require to succeed), and a great plan.
1094742
There are many businesses who started with so little yet grew to become good income vehicles down the road. But it will take more work, more research. With little resources, you can't afford to make mistakes.\n\nFrom the article "How to Start a Business with Little Cash" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol30/nocash.htm  here are some tips on how you can start a business and earn more money even if you are short of cash today:\n\n1. Find a business that you can start for little money (e.g. an errand business where your main cost is telephone and gasoline is easier to start than starting a Subway franchise)\n\n2. Consider your time and effort - if you have little cash, you may have to work harder for the money because you will have no resource to outsource or employ others to do certain tasks for you; or you have no money to buy equipment so you can only do certain things the long way\n\n3. Get your creative juices flowing. With no money, the only thing you have is your imagination. Be creative and find ways to get things done \n\n4. Be prepared to do all the work yourself - from doing your business plan, finding financing, writing emails, shipping and handling, marketing or whatever processes your business requires. \n\n5. Be prepared to invite investors - you may need financing help from someone down the road so be prepared to share some of the pie.\n\nTo give you ideas on what exactly do you need to start your own business, here are ten things you need to know before launching your own business  “10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Home Business” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/startingbiz.htm .\n\nYou may want to consult with an experienced entrepreneur or small business adviser to help you map out the best and cost efficient ways to start a business.There are several places where you may be able to find a mentor: \n\n- Government Mentoring Programs such as SBDCs, which works with community colleges and local business development councils to offer mentoring programs http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html ; or the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness/wnet_roundtables.html \n-Volunteer programs such as SCORE http://www.score.org  which is composed of mostly retired executives and entrepreneurs \n- Formal mentoring programs such as Athena Foundation http://www.athenafoundation.org/programs/globallinks.html  , Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program http://www.helzbergmentoring.org/HEMP/  , or The Aspen Institute MicroMentor Program http://www.micromentor.org \n- Professional organizations such as the National Women’s Business Council http://www.nwbc.gov/Mentoring/programs.html \n- Industry and trade associations \n- Local business groups, such as the chamber of commerce \n- Local chapters of business groups
232598
You usually have to invest, then they have you start a web site in your own name as your business. You have to make sure you cover all taxes at the end of the year yourself out of all your sales. You have to expect someone may have an allergy to the product and seen as you are the owner of the business you are then liable. you have to recruit other people to work under you and keep up a certain quota in order to start making money. etc,etc, I didn't like it. You can devote yourself and your time to it but if the people you recruit don't follow through you find yourself back at the bottom again and just the fat cat fills the pockets.