Congrats! It is always nice to see news like this. People talk about the going on strike part. But, its the doing something for yourself part that I am more interested in. Granted, going on strike will eventually be doing something for yourself. In the meantime its nice to see that people are taking the plunge. I will bee doing my LLC paperwork in a few months ( I have a lot of code to write yet. ) In the meantime a buddy of mine just announced his fruit wine company.

Welcome to the business world. Outside of gummint regulations, the water's fine. I have been in business for many years. I wish I could say one did it all but that's just not the way it happened. Some have been successful and some have failed. But every time I tried, I learned. It's OK to make mistakes but keep doing it. R. Buckminster Fuller was a failure before he found success. He bought an insurance policy for his family and was going to kill himself by jumping off a bridge. While he was standing on the bridge he gave himself one last chance to survive. If he couldn't find something to do or think his way out of his dilemma, he was going to jump. He went on to invent the geodesic dome, the Concept of Synergy and developed a whole line of thinking called Dymaxion. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the modern age. Every time he found himself in trouble, he would assume his metaphorical "Think or Jump" mental position just like he did on the bridge and soon an answer would emerge that would solve the problem. When you find your back against the wall, which you will in business, try to remember this. When all around you seems like disaster, this idea may help. You never know. But stick to it and you will find your market.

Good luck Kevin. And, congrats on taking the leap.

good luck with your new business kevin. That realtor will remember the rush job you dis and give you referrals. what city are you in?

well it has been a few weeks, I have had some success. I was able to get 4 jobs, and might have a fith . certainly not enough to live off, but a step in the right direction.

I am finding it hader then I thought, mostly because of people issues. some of the people I was going to use, aren't able to help me now.

Oddly, the company that I parted ways with (regeratbly on what I felt was very bad terms) called me yesterday to talk about contracting for them.....

anyway , I am goign to try to find a way to keep my own company going even, if I end up working for someoen else. We will see though.

Kev.

I have found the key to success in business is to make sure that customers have a reason to do business with me, rather than with someone else.

Congratulations, and may the market reward your courage and initiative!

My wife and I are starting up an LLC. We both are in the midst of buying equipment, then doing some prototypes. But I don't see us marketing until we have everything to run and Legal Zoom is finished with all our paper work. We made it our choice to survive. We don't have Galt's technology but just maybe we'll come up with something.

Good Luck Kevin!

Of course Money is tight... it's a new business! If you have faith in yourself and your product, and give people real value for their real money, you will be OK. You may even become wealthy beyond your wildist imagination. Sometimes having to pull the occasional all nighter or a string of 18 hour days to meet deadline sucks, but when you look at what you accomplish, there's NOTHING like being able to say, with pride in your voice (and dollars in the fist)...
"I did THAT!"

Soooo.... its been 3 weeks - any revelations? Success stories? Enquiting enterpreneuers want to know!!!

Allow me to add my congratulations as well. Most people never "pulled the trigger."

It's true that you will be working long hours for little pay, but you will also learn your value. Eventually you will make more money and will find success. You've taken the first careful step and each day you will learn more about being in business.

As one comment stated about incorporating, this is very important as it is the cheapest insurance against lawsuits you can buy. It will protect you personal assets against any judgement that may come your way in our sue happy society.

I suggest that you get in touch with theincorporationcompany@yahoo.com for inexpensive help.

Fred Speckmann

Congrats, Kevin. The best advice I can give someone in business is: 1) Be EASY to do business with. 2) Spend your time and energy on your referral sources.
Best of Luck!!!

Welcome aboard! As a business owner for over 20 years, just let me remind you of something important. No matter what the looters and moochers tell you, you DID build that! Best of luck.

Congrats kevinem. My wife started a business selling body wraps just under a year ago and it has been slow growing, but growing nonetheless! If you have something people want, then all you have to do is deliver what you promise. Keep up the good work and good things will happen.

Wishing you much good luck and joy in
doing what you want to do!!

Congrats, Kevinnem. Want to tell us your locale, just in case one or more of us would like to use your services?

Don't let others tell you that you can't make it. Keep your words positive. Say what you want, not what you don't want, or what you see. God Bless you on your adventure

Welcome to the Gulch!!
I'm 69 years old and discovered when I was 26 years old that MY business is, as the credit card commercials say is "PRICELESS"!! It's not the profit, (ask my wife and kids who ateCheerios for supper and got used to setting the thermostat to 50 degrees in Maine in the winter,...but I am very proud to say they are all totally independant, and while I keep telling them to read Ayn Rand, they say "I don't need to Dad, you did and I want to be like you."
Thats all three of them!!
Navy Bravo 22245

Congrats; just remember, you now work for the toughest, most driven boss that you've ever met! He will have you up earlier, and he will make you work later. He is dedicated to your success. I like people like that!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Just remember, if business was easy, everybody would be in business. Haven't read through the other comments so it's possible that you have already been told this. I have had my own mom and pop type business since 1978 and wouldn't trade the experience for any other type of life. Work hard, work smart, work often, and you'll survive.

Congratulation. And good luck.

Congrats- stick with it you can do it. I am in the same process...just finished my LLC paperwork and working towards the same goal...

Consider the $535-$300 job good advertising and a learning experience.

You'll learn less from your mistakes as time goes on.

Errors and Omissions insurance might be useful.

Same with a drafting course. I found that being a 'one stop shop' was pretty cool and you can cash in on the rush jobs.

Good luck and have fun.

Good for you, takes guts to start a new business in this economy. I am a Realtor, so have lots of respect for what you do. Yes, you might want to raise your price a little bit. Good luck to you.. Bette