Starting my own business: So happy and so scared!

[ssandra]

Hi Everybody,

I have finally made the best or worst decision career wise that I could have made.

I quit my job and I am going to start my own company!!

I still have to work until mid march, so I have enough time to get all the things that I have to get done, done.

I am so excited about it, but at the same time I am so scared, especially after the speech from my (soon to be ex-)boss about how the economy is going to hell, if not already there, and how only the strong will survive and we have to give everything and work twice as hard to get minimal results etc (used to work in headhunting agency).

I don't believe that it will be that bad. I believe that if I do not believe it, it won't be (for me anyway) (LOA Sandra style I guess... ).

Anyway; I think that my business will bring value to people and that even or maybe exactly when things are going less well economically people will still use my services.

I am going to start my own company in text consulting. I will use my business skills and sales skills combined with my writing skills to help business create better content on their websites and (once I understand it better) create content for them to increase web traffic.
My target market will be both the north of Belgium and the Netherlands.

I will get in contact with web design agencies for refferals or offers to work together, I will actively canvass companies who's website I think is horrible and I will get business by making a name for me with blogs, answering questions on forums etc.

Anyway....

My reason for posting is twofold

1. Anybody care to give me some reassurance about the economical situation and I didn't make the biggest mistake of my life stopping an ok job for insecurity

2. Any comments on my business idea are more then welcome!!

3. Of course; if anybody here would like to be my first client, feel free to email or PM me

Liefs,
Sandra

[striving4peace]

Congrats Sandra! I'm not an entrepreneur or self employed... hope to be one day..
Remember that your boss's opinion is just an opinion along with the rest. There are people still making money, and you can still be one of them. Starting now has some advantages: you're going to get resources a lot cheaper because demand will be low. Focus on helping people get through the recession. Help people develop online resumes, target recruitment sites, etc.

Just wondering though: what are your strengths / experience / skills you have built to help you succeed? (i'm not saying you will fail without any or all of them or anything remotely negative, just wondering what led you to chose this path and if you have any assets to leverage towards your goals)

Also, if you're working on a net-related profession, it might be a good idea to have a site of your own and have a link to it from your signature on your forum, on your new business card etc.

best of luck! post more when you succeed through various milestones!

[SimonaRich]

WELL DONE, SANDRA!!!!!

I congratulate you for taking this courageous decision!!! It is great to shift comfort zones this way because there is nothing worse than comfortable position to be in if you want to change.

It is great that you consciously decided to burn some bridges and start your own business. This will encourage you to create more value because if you don't, then nothing good is waiting for you!

Don't listen to that silly boss of yours about the economy going downhill. The economy is bad for him, it is his opinion. For me, for example, economy has never been better!

Of course, if you watch TV then you will be constantly told how bad current economy is and you will gradually buy in into all this horrible destiny of the masses.

I am honestly congratulating you and if you want you can keep in touch with me because I am starting out and I am doing very well! So if any problems arise, let me know, maybe I will be able to help!!!

[bobbinmonkey]

Originally Posted by ssandra

1. Anybody care to give me some reassurance about the economical situation and I didn't make the biggest mistake of my life stopping an ok job for insecurity

Congratulations!! I'm delighted to hear you've taken this big step.

I've run my own business for 4 years and it's started to take an entrepreneurial direction too. I'm an accountant so I see a lot of small businesses:
From what I can tell, small businesses who know what they're doing, have a sound business plan etc are doing well and growing. It's really not all doom and gloom in the small business sector. While a lot of people are cutting back, other businesses are marketing more and filling the gaps that are left and taking more of a market share.
It's really scary taking that first step, and it is hard work. But it's also very rewarding too. Best of luck, and enjoy yourself

[RT Wolf]

If you were a good employee at your previous places, you may be able to work with them. Altenratively, if things don't go well for you, you might be able to get your old job back.

And he's sorta right, the strong survive, but those that do get more of the rewards.

So, good luck and work hard!

[Chris Cade]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Hi Everybody,
1. Anybody care to give me some reassurance about the economical situation and I didn't make the biggest mistake of my life stopping an ok job for insecurity

Generally speaking, down markets are an excellent time to be an entrepreneur. Instead of getting paid a fixed wage, you actually determine your success.

More importantly, the more value you bring the more success you will have.

In an employee/employer situation, the more value you bring, you *might* get a raise or promotion... and in a down economy, you'll often be asked to work more (and sometimes for less).

Even good employees can get laid off in down markets, so any job security people believe they have is almost always an illusion.

Once you see that you're leaving the illusion of job security, and instead pursuing a path in which the value you bring to others determines your income... it's clear to see that you're choosing the path with MORE security.

Maybe not at first. The "steady paycheck" sure is nice... but once you're up and going, you'll most likely experience more security, abundance, and freedom than you're accustomed to right now.

[chineerat]

I have recently broken away from my Job to follow my passion: Music and Business or Music as a Business whichever kicks off first.

My advice apart from the technical aspects of business.

1) Focus: "whatever you focus on expands", what you will notice happening within your first few months of you venture you will see opportunities emerging that never existed while at you previous job listing the pros and cons of staying of leaving.

2) Be humble: "Have a willingness to learn", go into your venture with a never-ending learning attitude. Make a mandate to learn something new everyday.

3) Economics of Frustration and fulfillment: “After frustration comes fulfillment” This is a hypothesis I am testing, please bear this in mind it is in its testing phase and adjustment will be made late on.
Based on my experiences I have come to notice that after a frustrating experience good news follow. No! I am not talking bout "when you hit rock bottom the only way it is up." I mean actual progress. E.g. I have a music band. One of the main problems I was having was with one of my singers: she is always late, never prepared, not improving on her singing and so on. I tolerated her because my concern was that if I fire her I will have to find a replacement which takes months and the band will miss upcoming gigs and so on. Also she was one of the founding members.

But after a few months I gave her the axe. The mood of everyone was gloomy, very frustrating and almost everyone wanted to "jump ship". Now the problems start right? Wrong. After putting an ad on the newspaper for a singer I received numerous calls to fill the vacancy. Apparently there is a large supply of singers in my country (who would have thought?). Also the process of auditioning we have made good business contacts. Now the mood of the members is better than ever. The band right now is really “clicking”.
The above experience is one of the many situations where effective, fool-proof and professional approach to a problem reaps productive outcomes and new avenues.

Hypothesis adjustment 1.0: "In times of deep frustration, fulfillment follows only if your foundations are solid e.g. Productivity, work ethics, professionalism, honesty, humility, eagerness to advance yourself and impersonal decision making".

Feel free to add and adjust the above hypothesis based on your experiences.

Good luck!
By the way “Luck is opportunity and preparation.”

[ginkgo]

Well what do you know for sure? You know that if you have made the biggest mistake of your life, you will suffer for it and none of the people answering your question will have to suffer from it. But as long as you do not take any drugs then you will learn from it. Then you will be wiser.

Some need to learn the hard way. Do all or most attempts to start a business succeed? No. Will you succeed? No one knows except a seer or prophet that can predict the future. In America people get married with the expectation that it will be "till death do us part." That is the oath that they take. But 50% of marriages end in divorce. Again with no drugs they learn from it.

My advice is to try to create your business in your spare time when you are not at work and quit when your income is high enough. That is what thousands in MLM have done. Then you can be excited about your own business without the fear. Many have made big mistakes in business and have learned from it and then done very well.

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Hi Everybody,

I have finally made the best or worst decision career wise that I could have made.

I quit my job and I am going to start my own company!!

Liefs,
Sandra

Also, you have the blessed advantage of having your husband's income, as a base-security; from which to proceed...

Other people without that security, or parents/family might not be able to take that leap, like you are blessed with.

Great! I wish you only Success

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by striving4peace

Congrats Sandra!
...
Just wondering though: what are your strengths / experience / skills you have built to help you succeed?
...
Also, if you're working on a net-related profession, it might be a good idea to have a site of your own and have a link to it from your signature on your forum, on your new business card etc.

TNX!

My strengths are my writing skills combined with business knowledge (experience with my previous own business, parents who have always had their own business, and a very good knowledge of sales, and some basic knowledge of marketing and some remembered stuff from business school (International Business and Management Studies))

Besides this I have the will to make this succeed, and I know that I can do anything that I put my mind to.

As soon as I have my website and it's online I will put it in my signature, and anywhere else I can put it ;-)

Tnx again!

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by SimonaRich

WELL DONE, SANDRA!!!!!


Of course, if you watch TV then you will be constantly told how bad current economy is and you will gradually buy in into all this horrible destiny of the masses.

I am honestly congratulating you and if you want you can keep in touch with me because I am starting out and I am doing very well! So if any problems arise, let me know, maybe I will be able to help!!!

Thank you. I don't really watch news, just read the headlines and only open articles with good news or breaking news. If I watch tv it is discovery channel or animal planet.. not so much about the economy there

I would like to keep in touch with you so, thank you for offering!

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by chineerat

1) ... while at you previous job listing the pros and cons of staying of leaving.

2) Be humble: "Have a willingness to learn", ...

3) Economics of Frustration and fulfillment: “After frustration comes fulfillment”

1). LOL... I didn't really make a list... I just made a decision from one day to the other. I didn't really like my previous job and as soon as I had a workable business idea I quit.

2). That is a given in my opinion. I like learning new things so it is not difficult for me either.

3). I like that one!! I will remember it when things get more difficult.

Liefs,
Sandra

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by ginkgo

My advice is to try to create your business in your spare time when you are not at work and quit when your income is high enough. That is what thousands in MLM have done. Then you can be excited about your own business without the fear. Many have made big mistakes in business and have learned from it and then done very well.

I couldn't do that unfortunately. My job was in a search and selection agency and involved working very hard for 60 - 80 hours a week. Even if i could bring it back to 40 it takes to much of my mental space to be able to think about anything else after.
If I do something I will do it right! I will not do it half way. Therefore I couldn't stay in my job and start my business.

But... if we need the money I have no problems taking a temp job for a while to get some money, or have a low level (not requiring much mental space) part-time job.
I will not make my husband suffer for my decisions...

Liefs Sandra

[Raymond Edeh]

Sandra,

You just took the right decision. As far as I'm concerned, internet or online business is the best especially as it doesn't have anything tangible to do with the economic recession.

[schola]

If you want some lovey dovey reassurance that you did the right thing, you already got enough of that. If you want the truth, here's a good article:

It's a Depression, Not a Recession

[WayneKey1]

ssandra,
Congrats! I am a serial entrepreneur myself. I was quite successful once and blew it the second time (I wasnt pursuing something I loved, silly I know.) In my belief and in my experience, the bottom line is love what you do and work it like crazy.

As for the economy, an entrepreneur who is fast on her feet probably has a better chance of doing well during whatever we have coming than just about anyone else. If we have a depression, a "good solid job" will not help you. Seemingly solid companies will close their doors. You boss may come to your looking for a job. Tell him to look for opportunity instead. Jobs are not always there. Opportunities are ALWAYS there.

Steve has some really great articles on this site about quitting your job and making it happen, but also about the greater security of NOT having a job.

As for you business idea/plan, its pretty similar to mine. If you like drop me a note sometime and we can brainstorm it a little. It is not a Zero sum game there is plenty.

regards,

Wayne