[71GP76TA]

I am self employed as well....which is why I am posting here in the middle of the day. I have done everything possible to avoid hiring people. I own 2 businesses... a car lot and an auto repair shop. I am 50% owner on the car lot. Me and another guy started the business 4-1/2 years ago. A little over a year ago we opened up an auto repair shop.... I am a 25% owner of that one. Basically my carlot business partner and I set my car lot mechanic up in his own shop. We put up all of the $$$$ for equipment etc as my mechanic did not have any capital whatsoever..... We gave the mechanic 50% intrest in that business.

BTW - Both businesses originated in my backyard. Both businesses hold their own and are doing well. The carlot is profitable.... the shop is moreless flatlined.

BTW again - I hated working for people and have a real problem with people telling me what to do

[sleepy]

Originally Posted by T A 70

Makes sense to me.
I don't think you'd be happy working for someone else...call it instinct

If I had to do it all over again i would. But I can also understand why some business owners are pricks. and some look like they're 90 at 45.

[T A 70]

Originally Posted by sleepy

If I had to do it all over again i would. But I can also understand why some business owners are pricks. and some look like they're 90 at 45.

That's a really good point. As an employee, if you're trying to accomplish something you care that it gets done. But there are different levels of caring...sometimes I get asked to intervene when they can't get return emails or phone calls; what do you think my demeanor is when I have to get on the phone with these people not returning calls to my people? (I'm a real prick)

Otherwise I'm just a real nice guy

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by David Jones

I don't think he was saying it sucks as much as he was saying a lot of people think that the employer is living high because he "owns" the company. That is seldom the case. The company owns you. On the flip side there is a pretty good feeling getting up in the morning and knowing what you do today is YOURS.

Something like that. There are times when it sucks, but there are times when it's great.

Today for example, I wrote a job proposal this morning, visited the project I'm doing around noon time to make sure things were going well and to pick up a check. I then drove an hour & a half up to the nursing home in Massachusetts to visit my Mom - something I've done at least once a week, every week for the 9 months she's been in there. We got to visit for a good hour before she fell asleep for her afternoon nap. I didn't have to ask anybody to go or explain to them why I did. Today was a good day, but it was also my choice.

Mostly I don't think that people who've never done it, have any idea. There are days, that for a crisp $20 bill you could have the whole deal!

[Super Duty D]

For some reason my employees think for every dollar(sales) the company brings in, I get two (Profit) and put that in my pocket. They just don't get it. No one thinks like a business owner unless you are one. If I stock up on supplies or but a new (or used machine) they grumble about why they are not getting a raise instead. They just don't understand that to be more competitive you have to spend money sometimes on your business thus improving your companies capabilities just to keep up with technology in manufacturing.

My Web site if any one is interested in what we do; www.lapping.com

SDD

[Half-Inch Stud]

If Consulting counts then I've got a year into that form of 1099 self-employ.

[Jeff Walker]

I've been self employed for 10 years now.

Up until about a 1 1/2 years ago I was just a one person operation. Then I decided to add on to my shop and make it a two person operation. Getting good help and help that wants to stay has been a challenge. I am on my third person so far. I am really hoping the guy that is currently here plans on sticking around for awhile as we get along well and I really like his work.

Yeah, self-employment can be a challenge but has it's rewards too!

[ksgto]

Been self-employed now for 27yrs. The biggest problem that I have with employees is that they feel you owe them something for coming to work. Since the down turn in the contruction area it's been hard to keep anyone around for lond period of time. It really crackes me up is that one of our rules is no advancements on your there paychecks. I've had several ask after the first day for an advancement right after the sign the rule sheet. I had a family member work for me paying him $21.00 an hr to help ease the pressure off me instead caused more. let him off when he need to take care of family matters. Helped him out 3 times where he wouldn't loose his house cause they couldn't manage there money. He was upset on night when we came in cause my daughter was having horse lessons and later he text me and said he quit. That's been 4 years now and he still won't speak to me. At times if I could make what I make I'd hang it up in a heart beat but I like making my own hours.

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by sleepy

Raise the dead because you just got 2 hours of sleep. and not because you wanted to sleep, because you passed out from exhaustion.

That's no ****! I've gone days with only a 20 minute catnap. 30 hrs at a time is about my limit.

[Jim Zeek]

I don't think anyone is forcing you guys to work for yourself. If its SOOOOOOOO bad, go work for someone else. Must be nice to STASH 15K when you don't get paid for work? I bet Uncle Sam would like to know how you can STASH 15K without a paycheck. A bunch of whiney ass bitches around here.

[ksgto]

Jim I don't think anyone here is really complaing about being self employed. I get tired of people thinking we have alot of money cause where self-employed. Most people don't have a clue what's involved running your own business. Most of us that's been doing this for awhile knows how to manage there money for the slow times. If employees would take there bosses place for a week or so they'd change there mind.

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by Jim Zeek

I don't think anyone is forcing you guys to work for yourself. If its SOOOOOOOO bad, go work for someone else. Must be nice to STASH 15K when you don't get paid for work? I bet Uncle Sam would like to know how you can STASH 15K without a paycheck. A bunch of whiney ass bitches around here.

This thread is directed towards those that are self employed.... you obviously are not since you have no understanding whatsoever what is being discussed here.....

You wouldn't be a company bitch or a disability slug... now would you?

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Jim Zeek

I don't think anyone is forcing you guys to work for yourself. If its SOOOOOOOO bad, go work for someone else. Must be nice to STASH 15K when you don't get paid for work? I bet Uncle Sam would like to know how you can STASH 15K without a paycheck. A bunch of whiney ass bitches around here.

I won't take that personally Jim.

The opportunity is yours! Take that race hosting thing to the next level and let go of that union safety net of yours. If it looks SOOOOOOOO good, why don't you join us?

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

Id love to hear more about the great experiance. Id also like to hear more positive things about being self employeed. Seems here per Chris's original post, working for yourself really sucks. Than why would you do it??

My dream is to work for myself. I love the fact that the money a client or customer is paying out is coming to ME and not to the company investors to make them rich. Ive just never had the idea or been able to put up any capital to start something.

Paul, For the most part I set my hours. If I want to work nights I work nights and get other things done during the day. I take time for my kids when I want / need it. As the boss I can pick and choose what jobs I take on. Snow season is the exception I work when he weather's at it worst and still like it for the most part. If I want to throw a trailer on the truck and haul a load somewhere to pick up something of mine I can do it. I don't have to put up with an asskisser who sucked his way into a position of power [BTDT while working nights at Crown Equipt Co]. In all honesty I love it, long hours, pissy customers and all. Business sucks right now in the automotive field so I took a part time job teaching and like that alot. I don't know that I'll every give up being self employed totally tho. I like what I do, I'm good at it and when the work's there it's lucrative. I'm back down to being a one man shop but when it picks back up I've got a guy I'm going to hire.

Whoever said FREEDOM nailed it.

As I said before I put more hours in now for less money on the hour as the boss but it's worth it.

Just be aware of the bad before you jump in. If you can take that the good is gravy.

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by Jim Zeek

I don't think anyone is forcing you guys to work for yourself. If its SOOOOOOOO bad, go work for someone else. Must be nice to STASH 15K when you don't get paid for work? I bet Uncle Sam would like to know how you can STASH 15K without a paycheck. A bunch of whiney ass bitches around here.

Jim, your right no one forces me to work for myself. They're also not forcing me to do something I hate and that's worth a LOT.

I'm not whining. I'd rather tell someone the worst and let them figure the good out for themselves.

Hell yes it's worth it.

[sleepy]

Originally Posted by Jim Zeek

I don't think anyone is forcing you guys to work for yourself. If its SOOOOOOOO bad, go work for someone else. Must be nice to STASH 15K when you don't get paid for work? I bet Uncle Sam would like to know how you can STASH 15K without a paycheck. A bunch of whiney ass bitches around here.

comes out of the company checkbook. maybe you would rather see a couple guys out of a job to pay for the rebuild and the company going that far in debt with the truck down(and the driver not working) for a couple weeks waiting for the bank to approve the collateral on the loan but I don't. Let me guess, Union worker who thinks the company should take any profit and give it to the workers?
BTW. The IRS and DOT go through my book/paperwork EVERY year and NEVER found a problem.

[Jim Zeek]

Originally Posted by 71GP76TA

You wouldn't be a company bitch or a disability slug... now would you?

Nope. I'm a UNION Operating Engineer and run jobs for my boss who pays me a higher pay rate for the piece of equipment I am running because of the way I run my job, take care of his equipment and look out for him.

[Jim Zeek]

Originally Posted by sleepy

Let me guess, Union worker who thinks the company should take any profit and give it to the workers?

Half right. Union worker who does my job and earns what I am paid. I don't give a rats ass how much profit my boss makes. The more money he makes, the nicer equpment I get to run and the more jobs he can get. Give me my package that was agreed to. If he thinks I am not worth what I am being paid then give me my 2 checks and I will go work for the next guy.

[69 DAYTONA]

...my dad worked for Chrysler when I was a kid...laid off more than he worked and we nearly starved to death in 1957, just before he quit...he told me to never get hooked up with a factory, I didn't

...we started a family business in 1966 that became very successful (still operates today with different owners)...it was sometimes tough, stressful etc, but you always had the "dream" of fame and fortune

...1974, sold business 1 and started business 2, it was tough and stressful, it also grew and was quite successful, sold it in 1988 and cashed in on the dream

...1993 started current business...no bank loans anywhere...operate totally on our own cash flow, record sales and profits the last decade, 2010 was the biggest year ever and 2011 is already surpassing last years sales

...low pay in the beginning, usual employee problems (I could tell stories for days), no vacation at all for 27 years straight...took off 9 days last year, longest time away from a job since I started working in 1963 for .25 cents an hour

...it was always the dream, making it happen, doing it my way instead of someone elses way, watching it grow...the last 15 years or so it has been more of a game to me(money has been secondary), and I play to win...now I work less than a day per week and earn more than I ever imagined...been lucky...quitting this year, passing it on to the kids and hoping them the success I have enjoyed

[69 DAYTONA]

...I find life interesting, the places it takes you, a simple decision changing your entire lifes work...we all have these every day, look back, it's fun

...1957 my dad finally quit the Chrysler, we were starving...he took what little money he had and started buying stuff to resell, mostly junky type items, but he was a good salesman...we had several small businesses from 1957 to 1966...around 1965 he bought a truckload of tires (blems) for $1 each and was selling them for $3 each...an old guy stopped by one day driving a really tired old pick-up truck and needed a set of tires but didn't have the $10 for a set, so my dad took 3 old cigarette vending machines the guy was hauling to the junk yard as collateral

...a few weeks passed by and the guy didn't return for the machines, so my dad talked to a friend of his about putting one of the machines outside his barber shop a few blocks from our house and we bought some cigarettes at the grocery store to fill the machine, they sold for .25 cents a pack...8 years later we had several employees, hundreds of machines and were grossing huge $$$ when we sold the business

...we took the funds and started a tobacco wholesale warehouse in 1974 which we sold in 1988...2011, I'm now in the retail tobacco business (I've never ever tasted a cigarette) and it all happened because that old guy needed some cheap tires...point of the story, look around you, the best opportunities may come from something totally unexpected...I have many more of these stories, we all do

...I became a MOPAR fan because I made a wrong turn going to the bank one day, went down a street I never traveled and a one owner 69 Daytona was sitting in the driveway while the owner was clearing out his garage...stopped, looked and bought it and it started me in a life of automobiles I never expected to travel, literally changed my life, as I said, we all have these stories